INDIANAPOLIS — A tanker fire that shut down all lanes of State Road 37 on the south side of Indianapolis Friday morning damaged new pavement that had been laid down as part of an I-69 project.
The tanker caught fire around 6:30 a.m. on southbound State Road 37 near Wicker Road.
Preliminary information from Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine indicates a front tire on the semi carrying the tanker blew, causing it to hit a guardrail. The fuel tank ruptured and caught on fire.
The driver was able to get out of the semi before the vehicle became covered in flames. No one else was hurt.
The crash happened in an area of State Road 37 that’s been under construction as part of the I-69 Finish Line project to bring State Road 37 to interstate conditions.
According to INDOT, the truck pushed a barrier wall into the northbound lanes. The barrier has to be reset before the road can reopen.
The department said, “Once debris is removed, INDOT and the contractor will assess damage and make necessary repairs.”
Sgt. Perrine shared video from the fire and said all lanes of State Road 37 are closed. INDOT says the closure is from Fairview Road to Southport Road.
The tanker trailer was empty, but it had previously contained liquid asphalt, according to state police.
Perrine says there will likely be an extended closure.
