Lithium Battery Fire Disrupts Highway Traffic North of Las Vegas
Lithium Battery Fire and Traffic Disruptions
As of 6:18 p.m., U.S. 95 in Nye County has reopened after a lithium battery fire, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation. The fire has been extinguished, but the highway is expected to remain closed until a hazmat crew clears the area. That's according to updated information from Nevada State Police - Highway Patrol.
Traffic Management and Updates
As of 2:15 p.m., U.S. 95 remains closed between state Route 160 and Mercury. All southbound traffic will be diverted to SR-160 and into Pahrump, state police said. Northbound traffic is being turned around at Indian Springs. As for when drivers can expect the highway to reopen, state police say they expect an update from the Nevada Department of Transportation around 7 p.m.
Accident Details
The crash was first reported just after 12 a.m. on Tuesday when two semi-trucks side-swiped each other, according to Nevada State Police. One truck was carrying lumber; the other was carrying lithium batteries. Both drivers sustained minor injuries.
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