A haul turned into a chaotic scene on Wednesday afternoon after a dump truck and trailer combination burst into flames on I-75, triggering a brush fire and shutting down major portions of the interstate.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers rushed to the scene near Milepost 295 in Hernando County around 3:20 PM after the heavy vehicle suffered a sudden mechanical failure.
The driver managed to pull onto the outside shoulder as the truck caught fire, but the flames quickly jumped from the vehicle into the dry grass and the nearby wood line.
The resulting blaze sent thick smoke billowing across the highway, creating a dangerous “white-out” effect for passing commuters.
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Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the heavy smoke has severely limited visibility, forcing authorities to close southbound lanes to prevent further accidents.
While crews work to get the vehicle fire and the spreading brush fire under control, traffic has backed up for miles.
Motorists currently traveling through the area are being warned to expect significant delays and are urged to use extreme caution as emergency responders remain on the shoulder. FHP has not yet provided a timeline for when all lanes will fully reopen.
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