Truck fire temporarily closes Opp highway

Published 7:30 am Saturday, March 25, 2023

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A commercial vehicle caught fire in the Opp area early Friday morning, leading to a temporary closing of Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Opp fire and police officials responded to the scene of Alabama Hwy. 134 and U.S. Hwy. 84 at approximately 5:17 a.m. where an 18-wheeler hauling peanuts was found engulfed in flames. First responders from Coffee County and Elba also responded with a 5,000-gallon water tanker to help extinguish the fire.

Haynes Ambulance responded and the driver of the truck was taken to the hospital to be treated for possible smoke inhalation.

According to reports, the 18-wheeler tractor safely disconnected from the load and was not damaged.

Veterans Memorial Parkway was closed for nearly five hours before it was reopened.

The truck was reported to be hauling thousands of pounds of peanuts and cashews when the undercarriage caught fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.