Semitrailer carrying propane explodes on Interstate 59 near Poplarville

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A semitrailer transporting propane bottles crashed and caught fire on Monday, leading to traffic delays on Interstate 59 in southern Mississippi.

The crash occurred near the 28 mile marker, between exits 27 and 29, a bit north of Highway 26.

Pearl River County EMA Director, Shawn Wise, reported that the explosion from the cylinders caused debris to scatter as far as a quarter-mile away from the initial site of the crash.

The release from the propane bottles required the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) to block traffic in both the north and southbound directions near Poplarville. The truck driver was able to safely exit the vehicle, according to the highway patrol.

By late Monday afternoon, the northbound lanes had started to clear, but the southbound lanes, where the event occurred, were still closed. Authorities estimated an additional hour of closure for safety inspections and clean-up.