I-65 south of Columbus reopens after semi hauling howitzer shells suffers brake fire

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — All lanes of I-65 south of Columbus reopened to traffic just before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, more than three hours after it was shut down for safety reasons.

A semitruck hauling approximately 300 howitzer rounds suffered a brake fire on southbound I-65 near the Walesboro/Ogilville/State Road 58 exit at mile marker 64, according to Lt. Dane Duke from the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.

While the fire did not spread to the trailer, the hazardous nature of the cargo forced police to shut down the interstate in both directions between mile marker 64 and mile marker 55 just north of Seymour.

Howitzer rounds are large artillery shells, most commonly 155 mm, designed to be fired from howitzer guns at a range of 15-20 miles. Each round is approximately 2 feet long and weighs 100 pounds.

A military explosive ordnance disposal team determined the shells were safe and had not been affected by heat or fire, according to Lt. Duke. The trailer and the artillery shells were then taken to Camp Atterbury for further transportation.

The truck driver was not injured and no one else was hurt.