CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — A semi-trailer container, filled with chlorine, caught fire Saturday morning on I-75 in Charlotte County.
The fire led to an hours-long closure of part of the southbound side of the interstate near mile marker 155.
Around 12:45 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the fire had been extinguished but added that the trailer continued to leak chlorine. At the time, troopers said crews were beginning the process of offloading the chlorine and cleaning the scene.
They estimated that process might take 1-2 hours, but it proved to be a much larger undertaking. By a 5:30 p.m. update, the cleanup and transfer process was still underway. The work continued for about three more hours.
Around 8:30 p.m., FHP confirmed all southbound lanes had finally reopened.
The northbound lanes remained unaffected by the fire and subsequent cleanup. But, southbound drivers were temporarily diverted off at Exit 158 (Tuckers Grade).
