iStockphoto / Liudmila Chernetska
A pickup truck hauling a load of fireworks on I-75 in Tennessee over the weekend exploded and erupted into a full-blown fireworks display on the highway. It took place near Chattanooga on Saturday, stopping traffic in both directions.
According to reports, there were no injuries which feels like a small miracle given the scope of how many fireworks were ignited in such a short period of time, on I-75 which at various portions of the road is one of the busiest highways in America.
Truck Hauling Fireworks Explodes On Tennessee Highway
One traveler who also happened to be traveling on I-75 at the time of the explosion captured a portion of the fireworks on video. First responders were able to create a small barricade between their vehicles and the cars behind the truck while the vehicles on the opposite side of the road were largely unprotected from the projectiles.
Overnight, video of the explosion has picked up over 650K views on NBC News’ YouTube channel. Check it out:
Again, it is no small miracle that nobody was injured given the scope of that explosion.
On Facebook, the Chattanooga Fire Department wrote “Chattanooga Fire, Tri-Comm, and law enforcement responded to a vehicle fire on I-75NB past the Ooltewah exit Saturday night. It involved fireworks that were going off in different directions, endangering drivers. Interstate traffic was stopped in both directions while firefighters extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.”
The highway was temporarily shut down to allow first responders to clean up the scene as well as to allow the fireworks to run their course. Once the area was cleared, traffic resumed in both directions.
When you consider that most highway delays are caused by accidents, distracted drivers, etc., there is some small consolation to be had if you are a driver stuck in traffic and you are treated to an impromptu fireworks spectacular. Though if there were any drivers there with dogs in the car I feel for them. That could’ve turned into a traumatic situation for every driver with a fur passenger in the car.
This reminds me of maybe 15 years ago I was driving back to Manhattan from the Adirondacks and stuck in traffic as we got closer to the city and caught somewhere near Paterson or Hackensack, I forget exactly, but we caught their full 4th of July fireworks show from our car as we were driving by. It was perfect timing.