Fiery truck collision closes I-40 lanes

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A fiery crash involving a truck hauling lighter fluid shut down Interstate 40 Wednesday night, and only one westbound lane will be open until at least Friday afternoon.

The crash involved two tractor-trailer rigs, one of them hauling lighter fluid. No serious injuries were reported.

According to Albuquerque police one semi was climbing Nine Mile Hill around 10:30 p.m. at low speed with its flashers on. A second big-rig approaching from behind at higher speed changed lanes, but a third semi rammed the slower truck sparking the fire near the Atrisco Vista exit.

The third truck was hauling charcoal and lighter fluid and was destroyed in the fire. The husband-wife driving team was treated for minor injuries at a hospital; their dog died in the fire.

The first truck was packed with frozen meat.

Only one lane of I-40 is open westward from 98th Street, and the state Department of Transportation says repairs to the pavement are expected to take until at least Friday afternoon.

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