I-25 reopened in Colorado Springs after hazmat situation

A semi truck fire on northbound I-25 caused traffic problems Thursday evening. The highway has since been reopened.

At about 5:45 p.m., crews were responding to the fire on the interstate near the S. Tejon exit. At 9:45 at night the hazmat situation was cleaned up and the northbound lanes were reopened. Southbound lanes remained closed for construction in the area.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department reported both northbound and southbound lanes were closed in the area during the incident. Crews from the truck's company were called from Denver and New Mexico to assist in the cleanup.

The truck is from ACT enviro, a company that disposes of hazardous waste. The company provides disposal for chemical waste, radioactive waste, biological waste and electronic waste.

Capt. Steve Wilch with the Colorado Springs Fire Department said a 55-gallon container with oxidizer caught fire. The EPA defines an oxidizer as a substance such as a chlorate, permanganate, inorganic peroxide, or a nitrate, that yields oxygen readily to stimulate the combustion of organic matter.

Since the fire appears to have been an accident, the driver likely won't face any citations.