A semi fire on the Interstate closed a portion of southbound I-65 in Bartholomew County on Sunday. Chief Matt Lynch with the German Township Volunteer Fire Department, says that firefighters were called to the 73.5 mile marker near the southbound rest park at 8:43 a.m.

Upon arrival, Lynch says that crews found the tractor of the semi fully involved in fire with flames spreading to the trailer. He adds that the tops of the fuel tanks had melted away which exposed the diesel fuel. Crews had to spray foam on the fire to extinguish the fuel which continued to burn. The cardboard boxes inside the trailer, which was hauling car wash soap along with fuel and oil additives had also ignited and proved difficult for crews to extinguish. Lynch says that the additives begin to leak and mix with the water from the fire runoff. Crews made a dirt dam

to prevent the additives from running into a nearby drain. Lynch says that Columbus Fire Department engine #5 was then requested to provide additional hazmat resources to contain the leak.

Authorities say that the interstate was reopened by 1:45 p.m.