Semi Truck Catches Fire On Southbound I-5 Near DuPont

LAKEWOOD, WA — A semi truck caught fire on southbound I-5 Friday morning near DuPont. The driver of that truck managed to escape unscathed and no other injuries have been reported, but the resulting wreckage and road closures are wreaking havoc for morning commuters heading south.

Washington State Patrol first reported the incident just before 7:30 a.m., saying it had forced them to close two lanes of the freeway.

As of 9 a.m., cleanup is still in progress and those rightmost lanes remain closed. Drivers are advised to expect delays, and may want to consider alternate routes if possible.

Investigators say they believe the blaze started as a brake fire, which then spread into the rest of the vehicle. The semi had been loaded with mattresses, all of which were consumed in the fire.