Garbage truck fire, explosion shuts down southbound I-75 near Grand Blanc

(WWJ) The status of the driver is unknown after a garbage truck caught fire and exploded during rush hour Thursday morning, along I-75.

WWJ Traffic Reporter Michelle Pena said it happened at around 7 a.m. in the southbound lanes, near Grand Blanc, shutting down the freeway at N. Holly Rd.

"Tipster Dave," from the Holly area, was a witness.

"I actually live right by it and heard the explosion; there was two explosions," he told WWJ. "And I'm just now leaving for work and saw, on the side service drive, and saw the garbage truck. The whole front end has been blown off."

Just after 9 a.m., Pena said police were allowing drivers who were stuck in the backup, all the way from Dixie Hwy./Saginaw Rd. up to N. Holly, to move through.

She said the scene was expected to be cleared, and the freeway reopened shortly.

It's unclear at this time what caused the fire.

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