An early morning truck fire briefly shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95. The fire was reported at 5:52am/et today near mile marker 228 in Mims, a dispatcher for the Florida Highway Patrol in Orlando reported. Both southbound lanes were closed to facilitate fire and emergency response and the highway reopened shortly before 7 a.m. Brevard County Fire-Rescue spokesman Orlando Dominguez said the fire began in an upper compartment of the trailer of a semi-tractor trailer that was carrying two race cars. Dominguez did not know what team the race cars belonged to or who the driver was. It took two engines as well as the county’s special response team to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported, however an ambulance was sent as a precaution. After the fire was out and the trailer was considered safe, it was driven to a nearby rest area so the highway could reopen.(Florida Today)
UPDATE: FitzBradshaw Racing confirmed today that the transporter for the #82 Chevrolet Monte Carlo caught fire overnight in route to Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. No one was hurt in the incident. The transporter housed the #82 Jani-King Chevrolet, which was scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Busch Series Ford 300 Saturday. The primary race machine was saved, however the back-up car, along with crew uniforms, helmets, tools and other equipment, were destroyed. FitzBradshaw Racing will withdraw its #82 entry for the race due to the incident. The most important thing is that no one was hurt, said FitzBradshaw Racing co-owner Armando Fitz. Its unfortunate that we have to withdraw our entry, but Ive spoken with the sponsor and we feel that it is in everyones best interest at this point. The occurrence took place on a stretch of I-95 approximately 200 miles north of Miami, Florida. The transporter for the #14 Chevrolet, also a FitzBradshaw Racing machine, was behind the #82 transporter when smoke was first noticed. The drivers were able to get the truck to a rest area where they opened the doors of the transporter and were met by flames. Fire officials were called to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. FitzBradshaw Racing will still field the #12 Supercuts Chevrolet, piloted by Tim Fedewa, and the #14 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet, driven by Casey Atwood. Jani-King will receive an additional primary sponsorship race in the 2004 season to make up for the missed event.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(11-10-2003)
