Arleene Barrios -KFOX Morning News Traffic Reporter/Reporter
A semi-truck carrying 8,000 pounds of rocket fuel caught fire Tuesday at about 5:10 a.m. on I-10 west near Downtown El Paso. Fire officials said the truck's tires caught fire due to friction from brake failure.
The truck was carrying a military shipment from Alabama to Long Beach, California. As a result of the incident, the shipment is being taken Biggs Army Airfield.
Firefighters contained the fire before it reached the cargo. Officials said had the trailer fire spread the rocket fuel could have caused an explosion reaching 1/2 mile in radius.
One lane of I-10 west near Downtown was closed, as well as the on-ramp and Missouri.
As of 7 a.m., police dispatchers said the Missouri on-ramp to I-10 west would be closed for at least 2 to 3 more hours.
No injuries were reported.
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