The director of Colorado's transportation department says some workers will experience "a pretty snarled p.m. commute" after a tanker truck caught fire on Interstate 25 south of Denver.
Shailen Bhatt says all northbound lanes at the scene near the Denver Tech Center will remain closed through the evening. Crews have opened some southbound lanes.
Light rail has also started running through the area again and RTD may add extra trains. RTD spokesman Nate Currey says a rumor that the fire damaged lightrail infrastructure turned out to be unfounded.
"We're excited to be one of the few things rolling through I-25 right now," Currey said.
The driver of the tanker truck managed to jump out of the vehicle and tumble onto the highway as traffic passed by.
Video obtained by KDVR shows the man having trouble standing and then another person running to his aid and helping him away on Wednesday. Another witness told KMGH-TV that the driver's leg was on fire.
The fire engulfed the truck and sent a large plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.
All lanes of the interstate are expected to be open by Thursday morning's commute.
