****UPDATE: Traffic returned to normal late Thursday evening.****
One lane of westbound traffic on I-40 is getting through just before the merge with I-85 Thursday afternoon as emergency crews are cleaning up from an earlier fire.
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood said that his understanding that there was a fire after a 150-gallon hydraulic tank ruptured. He added that traffic was initially being diverted through Hillsborough before the lane of I-40 reopened.
Blackwood said his understanding was that the fire had been contained and that cleanup efforts were underway.
Traffic cameras show the backup nearing the 15-501 exit on I-40 westbound just after two o’clock Thursday afternoon.
Blackwood said that Highway Patrol and fire crews were on the scene handling traffic and cleanup. He added there is at least one residual wreck in the backed-up traffic.
There is no estimation for when traffic will be back to normal in the area.
Expect delays or avoid the area if possible.
This story will be updated as more information is made available.
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