Northbound I-35 back open near Emporia after semi-trailer fire

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Update: The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says emergency crews have removed the debris off the roadway and hauled away.

There will still be some debris in the south ditch, and will be removed Sunday afternoon. As of now both lanes are open, however, at approximately 1:00 PM tomorrow, September 28th, crews will finish removing the debris in the ditch and will be down to one lane.

A portion of northbound lanes on I-35 are closed near Emporia after a semi-trailer caught on fire Saturday.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and other first responders were dispatched to mile marker 142 for a reported vehicle fire. Deputies found a truck and trailer west of the Lyon-Coffey County line with the semi-trailer on fire.

Deputies closed off I-35 north at mile marker 141 to allow crews to work the scene.

The driver of the semi, a 44-year-old man from Arizona, was driving when he noticed smoke coming from his passenger side trailer axle. After the trailer caught fire, he was able to disconnect the truck from the trailer, which was hauling produce.

The driver was not injured.

KDOT is maintaining the scene while crews work to clean up the debris.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office shared that once crews clear the scene, the trailer will remain there and one lane will be opened for northbound traffic.

This is expected to continue through the overnight hours and emergency crews plan on removing the trailer on Sunday.

Once the trailer is removed, both northbound lanes on I-35 will reopen.