Why Was I-95 Shut Down in Milford for 6 Hours Monday? Answer, Eggs, Lots of Them

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.

The tractor-trailer that burst into flames on I-95 Monday early morning by Exit 34 contained more than 25,000 eggs valued at $50,000, a top Milford fire official said.

The highway was shut down from about 5 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and traffic was a nightmare during the morning rush hour and local roads in Milford and Stratford were a parking lot as well.

“The fire started in the right rear wheels of the trailer and continued to spread to the interior of the trailer which contained 25,000 dozen eggs,” said Capt. Gregory Carman. “The truck was headed to Springfield, MA from Pennsylvania and its cargo was valued at over $50,000.

“The actual fire was extinguished fairly quickly, but the empting of the trailer and then its removal from the road lasted for hours. The driver of the truck was able to get out without any injuries and there were no reported injuries to any of fire personnel,” Carman added.

UPDATE: The state Department of Transportation says the highway, which had been shut down since 5:30 a.m. is now reopened. Delays were endless through the immediate area of the accident in Milford and Stratford.

Still expect delays, the DOT cautions.

Original Post: From the state Department of Transportation:

Incident: Tractor Trailer Accident - MILFORD
Description: I-95 Northbound CLOSED between Exits 33 and 34 because of Tractor Trailer Accident (Tractor Trailer Fire).

Congested between Exits 28 and 34 (5.5 miles). Reported Monday, August 31 at 5:34 am.

Estimated Duration: Unknown

Photos via the Milford Fire Department