Propane bottles explode in fiery crash on I-59, blocking lanes of traffic near Poplarville
Southbound lanes of Interstate 59 near Poplarville are blocked Monday afternoon after a semi-truck hauling propane bottles crashed and caught fire, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department said.
The crash occurred in the southbound lane but all lanes were blocked for at least two hours because the propane bottles on the truck have been exploding and first responders are trying to contain the scene, Mississippi Highway Patrol in Biloxi said on Twitter.
Photos from MHP show dozens of propane bottles in the roadway and a semi truck bed destroyed by fire.
The nortbound lanes were reopened around 4 p.m. MHP said, but southbound lanes will be closed for the next several hours as a safety precaution.
The crash occurred near the 28-mile marker, in between the Poplarville (29) and Necaise (27, near Hancock County) exits.
Lanes will be closed for at least an hour as crews work to clear the scene, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said just before 2 p.m.
This story was originally published August 14, 2023 at 2:33 PM.
