Updated: 8:25 p.m. According to VDOT: All Interstate 81 northbound and southbound lanes are open at MM 251.8 in northern Rockingham County.
**Update**
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va – Virginia Department of Transportation officials reopened All Interstate 81 northbound and southbound lanes are open at MM 251.8 in northern Rockingham County. the Southbound lanes on Interstate 81 north of Harrisonburg at around 5:45 pm Monday.
The northbound lanes remain closed and Rockingham County Fire and Rescue Chief Jeremy Holloway says crews are working as fast as possible, but they are not going to put motorists in danger just to open up the road.
The highway was shut down at around 7:30 am due to a tractor-trailer fire. Holloway says a blown tire that ignited an acetylene container started the whole fire. At least 15 of the 144 containers that were on the truck burned.
No injures were reported.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY: (WSVA) Both directions of I-81 north of Harrisonburg will remain closed for quite some time as emergency crews battle an active tractor trailer fire.
Earlier this hour, Rockingham Fire and Rescue Chief Jeremy Holloway, who is on the ground, updated me on the situation – which was caused by acetylene containers bursting into flames on the back of a northbound truck.
Holloway added that no one was injured because of this fire.
Stay with WSVA for continued updates as we follow this developing story.
According to VDOT traffic. On I-81 at mile marker 251.8 in the County of Rockingham, motorists can expect delays due to a vehicle fire. All north lanes are closed. All south lanes are closed. Traffic backups are approximately 4.0 miles. Traffic backups on I-81 South are approximately 5.0 miles.
The northbound Exit 251 entrance ramp is blocked.
The southbound Exit 257 entrance ramp is blocked.
Southbound traffic is being detoured off of Exit 257.
Northbound traffic detour off at Exit 247A, onto US-33 Eastbound (Market Street), onto US-340 Northbound, onto US-211 Westbound in New Market, and back onto I-81 Northbound Exit 264.
Southbound traffic detour off at Exit 257 onto Va-259 Northbound (Mayland Rd), Left onto East Lee Street in Broadway, onto Va-42 Southbound (North Main Street) continuing into Harrisonburg.
