Semi-truck bursts into flames, shuts down northbound I-75 at 14 Mile in Troy

Traffic rerouted onto John R

TROY – A fiery crash involving a semi-truck has the northbound lanes of I-75 at 14 Mile Road in Troy shut down.

Troy Fire Department technician Michael Koehler said the semi caught fire just after 1 a.m.

The driver was able to get out OK, but the trailer was packed with several paper products -- paper plates, paper towel, toilet paper.

"Obviously, with the amount of paper products that were onboard with the trailer, getting it all extinguished and spread out is the biggest challenge," Koehler said.

A backhoe was brought in to break up the debris to help get the fire to burn itself out.

"It's time consuming and creates a mess that now has to be cleaned up," Koehler said.

Koehler said MDOT was called to the scene and would be evaluating whether there was any damage done to the interstate because of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but initial indications suggest it started with a tire or break issue.

The roadway is expected to be reopen by 9 a.m.

Traffic being rerouted:

Commuters are being forced off northbound I-75 at 14 Mile Road onto John R. They can get back onto the northbound lanes of I-75 at 16 Mile Road (Big Beaver).

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