Tractor-trailer catches fire, snarls traffic on I-79 southbound near Wexford exit

Natasha Lindstrom | Thursday, March 26, 2020 6:00 p.m.

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Interstate 79 southbound shut down as officials responded to a report of a tractor-trailer on fire between the Wexford and Warrendale exits on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

A tractor-trailer caught fire on Interstate 79 late afternoon Thursday, snarling traffic for more than an hour, initial reports indicated.

Emergency dispatchers sent firefighters to the site of the incident on I-79 at Mingo Road in Marshall Township shortly before 5 p.m., an Allegheny County 911 shift commander said.

There were no reports of injuries requiring transportation to a hospital by medics, the 911 shift commander said.

State police temporarily shut down a stretch of I-79 between the Warrendale and Wexford exits. On-ramps were closed and traffic was backed up from Wexford Run Road to the Route 19 interchange.

By 7 p.m., I-79 was reopened to traffic as officials continued to investigate the incident, with the tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of the southbound side.

Marshall: I-79 Southbound between Warrendale & Wexford exits currently closed due to tractor trailer fire; responders on scene.

— Allegheny County (@Allegheny_Co) March 26, 2020

State police could not immediately be reached for details about the incident.