A big rig hauling about 22,000 pounds of strawberries caught fire early Thursday along Interstate 5 near Westley, forcing the closure of a northbound lane and causing what authorities expect will be hours of traffic delays.
The fire was reported around 6 a.m. on northbound I-5, just north of Howard Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Aaron Fay.
The truck driver noticed flames coming from the trailer’s tires, safely pulled onto the shoulder and disconnected the tractor from the burning trailer before the fire spread, Fay said. No injuries were reported…