Strong winds fueled grass fire, temporarily closing I-55 lanes

A fire in the median of Interstate 55 proved to be a hazard for motorists on Sunday.

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour fueled a grass fire Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 12:48 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 volunteers with the Portageville Fire and Rescue were called to extinguish a two-mile long grass fire on Interstate 55’s median near the 35 mile marker. Volunteers with Engine 1 responded and immediately realized that due to the high winds, there was a need for tanker support for an additional water and fire suppression. Also the Marston Fire Department was paged for mutual aid.

Smoke conditions caused the temporary closure of the southbound lanes from New Madrid to Portageville. All crews cleared the scene around 3:30 p.m.

At 9 p.m. Saturday, the Portageville Fire Department’s new tanker was called into action for semi-truck with its trailer on fire in the northbound lane of Interstate 55 at the 36 mile marker.

On the scene firefighters found an enclosed trailer with the entire back end on fire. An explosion had blown a hole in the trailer’s roof.

Crews worked to extinguish the fire while trying to determine what cargo was inside. Interstate 55 Northbound was shut down for brief time while crews worked to extinguish the fire.

All units cleared shortly after midnight.