ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — A mechanical issue left an 18-wheeler engulfed in flames along the interstate in Orange County early Thursday morning.
The 38-year-old driver, a Mississippi man, escaped without injury after the truck began to burn along the shoulder of the interstate near FM 1442 at about 1:30 a.m. according to a release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Crews were still working to clean up the wreck at 7 a.m. and traffic was reduced to one lane in the area.
The driver pulled the truck over on to the shoulder when he began to experience mechanical issues according to the release.
From a Texas DPS news release...
At approximately 1:30a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a motor vehicle fire on Interstate 10 in Orange County. The incident occurred near FM 1442.
Preliminary reports indicate that a commercial motor vehicle was traveling westbound on Interstate 10 when the vehicle experienced mechanical issues. The driver stopped the vehicle and was able to get out of the truck tractor semi-trailer before it caught fire.
The driver, a 38- year-old man from Mississippi, was not injured.
At this time, only one westbound traffic lane is open while crews work to clear the charred debris.
Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling in the area and stay alert for stopped or slow moving traffic.
There are no additional details to be released at this time.