Mattress Cause Of Box Truck Fire, Shuts Down Interstate

SUWANEE, GA -- A mattress in the roadway caused a box truck fire that shut down I-85 South Tuesday during rush hour traffic. The driver was able to safely exit the truck prior it becoming fully engulfed in flames. The truck was a total loss and no injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded at 4:35 p.m. to a report of a truck on fire on I-85 South, north of Lawrenceville Suwanee Road in Suwanee. Multiple 911 calls were received for the incident.

Fire crews arrived on scene and found one box truck fully involved on the right shoulder of I-85. All lanes of I-85 South were temporarily closed while firefighters stretched hose lines to attack the fire. Once the fire was knocked down, three left lanes of the Interstate were reopened to traffic.

According to the driver of the truck, a mattress in the roadway was run over causing the driver to maneuver the truck to the right shoulder. GDOT HERO Units were on scene and assisting with traffic control during the duration of the incident.

Equipment at the scene included: 3-Engines, 1-Water Tender and 1-Battalion Chief.