Dump Truck Fire Turns I-95 into a Parking Lot

A dump truck fire on Interstate 95 northbound by exit 21 backed up traffic for miles on both the turnpike and the Post Road this afternoon.

Assistant Fire Chief Scott Bisson said no one was injured in the 3:30 p.m. accident and that the dump truck driver, who was not immediately identified, was outside the dump truck when firefighters arrived.

"The engine compartment and the cab area of the dump truck, a tri-axle, was involved in fire," Bisson said. The dump truck was in the center lane of the highway, and the highway was completely shut down between exits 20 and 21 before two lanes were reopened about 20 minutes later, Bisson said.

"The driver was able to get out of the vehicle," Bisson said. "He was unable to get it off the road before it burst into flames."

The cause of the fire was under investigation but appears to be accidental, firefighters said.

Bisson said firefighters extinguished the fire in about 20 minutes. "It was just a matter of cleaning up the spill and towing it from the scene," he said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection was notified of the accident due to fluid spills on the turnpike and into storm drains, firefighters said.

A State Police accident report was expected to be available later.