Vehicle Fire Shuts Down I-75 Near Paynes Prairie, Firearms and Ammunition On Board

MICANOPY ‒ On Wednesday, Jan. 11, members of Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) and the Micanopy Fire Department responded to a reported vehicle fire at mile marker 378 on Interstate 75. The incident occurred at approximately 1:36 p.m.

Initial reports were that the vehicle was fully involved in fire and had multiple propane tanks as well as firearms and ammunition on board. Concern about the fire spreading into Paynes Prairie necessitated that the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, which arrived first on the scene, shut down I-75 in both directions for the safety of the public until fire units could bring the fire under control and mitigate any danger.

After arriving on scene, ACFR brought the vehicle fire under control as ammunition was heard exploding within the vehicle. The propane tanks had been removed from the vehicle prior to becoming involved in the fire.

The interstate was reopened once the fire was brought under control and no further hazards were present.

A second crash occurred on I-75 in the Micanopy area at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. Crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue and Micanopy Fire Department responded to a multi vehicle wreck on I-75 at the 375 mile marker north bound. Initial reports were that two vehicles, a box truck and a sedan, were involved and both flipped, landing off the side of the highway.

Fire rescue crews arrived on scene, stabilized the over-tuned vehicle and began extricating the occupant who was still entrapped. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to the hospital.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

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