COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – A tractor-trailer traveling eastbound on Interstate 64 between the two Covington exits erupted in flames late Tuesday night, prompting a major emergency response and ongoing cleanup efforts. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud noise shortly before flames engulfed the vehicle. Emergency crews were quickly dispatched to the scene, and multiple agencies remain on-site as of Wednesday morning to manage the aftermath.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and authorities have not released details about the truck’s cargo. The Virginian Review has reached out to the Virginia State Police for further information.
As cleanup operations continue, the right-hand lane of I-64 East remains closed. Motorists are urged to use caution and expect delays when traveling through the area.
The Virginian Review has received the following statement from VSP first Sergeant Anthony Nicely.
The tractor trailer was traveling eastbound and caught fire subsequently stopping at the 15.6 mm. The commercial vehicle was transporting dog food and prior to EMS arriving on scene became fully engulfed in flames resulting in Interstate 64 being temporarily closed on the eastbound side. The fire was extinguished, and one lane of the interstate was re-opened at approximately 11:15 PM until an entire cleanup was completed allowing both lanes of travel to be re-opened at approximately 6 AM this morning. There were no charges placed.