WESTON, W.Va. — One person was transported following a tractor-trailer wreck near on Interstate 79 that resulted in an explosion.
Five fire departments responded to the crash, and the interstate was shut down for sometime.
Weston Fire Chief Kenny James said the driver left the roadway and went into the gully just before the southbound South Weston exit on I-79.
“After about six hours and several thousands gallons of water, we got that fire out,” James said.
James said the truck was hauling tires, which caused the vehicle to burn for several hours. One of the southbound lanes was reopened just before 10 p.m.
James said the driver of the tractor-trailer was transported via HealthNet to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. His identity and the extent of his injuries are not reported at this time.
“He actually got out on his own, and a passerby helped pull him over the embankment,” he said.
Lewis County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash and explosion.
“The fire, I’m assuming, was a result of the crash,” James said.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has been called to check for any contamination in the creek.