TEXAS CITY — A box truck fire late Thursday morning led to an explosion and prompted the closure of part of State Highway 3, according to Texas City fire officials and a report by i45Now.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. near FM 2004, when the driver of a northbound box truck noticed smoke coming from the engine while traveling from Freeport to Houston. The driver quickly exited the vehicle and was not injured.

Shortly after the driver evacuated, the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the cabin and resulting in an apparent explosion.

Texas City firefighters and hazardous materials crews responded to the scene, shutting down the highway between Mall of the Mainland Parkway and Hughes Road to contain fuel and chemical spills.

“Southbound lanes reopened around 1:15 p.m., but northbound traffic is expected to remain closed for several hours” Fire Chief Micah Voight told i45Now.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while cleanup operations continue.

Photo credit: Christopher Ebdon, Creative Commons