At least four people were killed in a fatal crash involving multiple tractor trailers and passenger vehicles on Interstate 95, earlier this afternoon.
It happened in Robeson County, North Carolina, near exit 10, and shut down the highway in both directions.
The cause of the crash is not currently known.
According to ABC 11, one of the truck’s fuel tanks caught fire after impact. The flames then spread to several other vehicles.
Weeds and waiting in rural Robeson Co. as I95 traffic detoured around Horrific traffic multi-vehicle accident on Interstate that killed 4. pic.twitter.com/Y1pvKLPRwB
— Greg Barnes (@GregBarnesABC11) May 16, 2017
There was a minimum of 3 semi trucks involved in the accident, one of them a tanker. Fortunately, the tanker trailer did not catch fire. At least 3 other vehicles were also involved.
The fire swept through the grass in the median and ignited the woods close by.
Officials say at least 4 people were killed, but the final tally may be higher.
The crash is still under investigation and it is not known at this time how many people were injured.
The northbound lanes are to be opened as soon as possible but the southbound lanes are expected to be closed until around midnight, NCDOT says.