LITTLE VILLAGE — All lanes reopened on the inbound Stevenson Expy. early Monday afternoon after two semi-tractor trailers burst into flames near Pulaski Road, according to officials.
The incident was first reported at 10:50 a.m. Monday, according to Illinois State Police officials. One of the trucks was carrying 17,800 pounds of flammable paint, police said.
One person, who was in one of three passenger cars involved in the wreck, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to State Police officials. The victim was found in a minivan that was trapped under one of the two trucks.
The outbound expressway will remain closed for at least another three hours, police said at 3:45 p.m. Monday.
Urgent update. One fatality from expressway fires. Victim found in mini van that was under semi. Rescue was impossible.
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) July 25, 2016
Another person was hospitalized. Authorities could not specify the person's injuries but said the person was "stable."
SB I-55 (Stevenson Expy) lanes are blocked at Cicero Ave. due to a vehicle fire. #ILtraffic pic.twitter.com/m65zbKrJc6
— IDOT (@IDOT_Illinois) July 25, 2016
2 Semis, 2 Autos Burning on OB I-55 Near Pulaski, Cicero -- A 2-11 Alarm Fire https://t.co/LllskFm4D1 pic.twitter.com/HTc1TQHlal
— ChicagoFireMap (@ChicagoFireMap) July 25, 2016
Smoke was visible for miles in every direction late Monday morning.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Outbound I-55 shut down at Cicero due to truck fires - https://t.co/QgtCmUgIBD pic.twitter.com/WmWhWLc2KK
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) July 25, 2016
Firefighters reported using foam to extinguish the fire, which looked to completely hollow out at least one of the trucks.
Midway airport unit hitting with foam pic.twitter.com/PuA7vsU3DO
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) July 25, 2016
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