Gas Truck Crash On I-275 Causes 'Intense' Fire, Forcing Road Closures

TAMPA, FL — A crash involving a tractor-trailer truck hauling gasoline caused an "intense" fire that closed off Interstate 275 at Busch Boulevard for three hours and secondary roads for more than five hours Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

At 3:47 a.m, a Honda CRV driven by a 31-year-old Riverview woman was heading north on I-275 approaching Busch Boulevard when the driver switched lanes and collided with the tractor-trailer truck carrying 8,700 gallons of fuel, driven by a 53-year-old Plant City man.

Both the CRV and the truck were propelled onto the grass shoulder at the exit ramp where they caught fire.

Tampa Fire Rescue arrived and, due to the size of the fire, called for additional firefighting equipment including a foam truck. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in about 20 minutes.

The fire forced the closure of I-275 until 6:25 a.m. and secondary roads, including Fowler Avenue to Bird Street, until 9 a.m.

Both drivers suffered minor injuries. One was taken to the hospital to be treated. Troopers said charges are pending against the 31-year-old Riverview woman.