NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A tractor-trailer carrying mail from Richmond became engulfed in flames on Wednesday morning on I-64 near 4th View Street in Norfolk, shutting down eastbound lanes for several hours.
Virginia State Police responded to the scene around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday on eastbound I-64 at mile marker 273.
All of the eastbound lanes were closed for hours, with exit 273 closed for even longer, but all have since reopened.
Traffic was backed up for miles, extending into Hampton at the I-664 interchange because of the incident. Travelers coming from Hampton were urged to use I-664 south (the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel) as an alternate route.
The situation caused headaches for many drivers.
“Actually, this is about the 8th light change since I’ve been sitting here,” one Hampton man stuck in traffic told WAVY. “My office is two blocks away. I live at the beach about 8 minutes away. It has taken close to 40 minutes just to get to my location.”
Another man, a Hampton University employee, got out of his car and walked to work to avoid the traffic.
“I don’t know, probably 20 more minutes,” he said speaking of how much walking time he had left. “But I mean it was an hour getting over the HRBT from Oceanview to the Settlers Landing exit. I don’t think I’m getting there in my car anytime soon.”
A detour was put in place at 15th View Street (exit 272).
Images from the scene, courtesy of VDOT, show heavy smoke and flames coming from the vehicle.
According to Norfolk Fire-Rescue, the vehicle was carrying mail for the U.S. Postal Service, and there were no known hazards on board. No injuries were reported.
USPS clarified the vehicle was being driven by one of its Highway Contract Route (HCR) operators, which are contracted out. The USPS said some mail was damaged during the fire, but they do not have a total figure at this time. An inspector with the Postal Service was sent to the scene to investigate.
The mail was coming from Richmond to Norfolk, and was not salvageable.
U.S. Postal Inspector Michael Romano told 10 On Your Side what people can do if they’re worried their mail was burned in the fire.
He said people can report the mail as missing and file a claim with the United States Postal Service, at this link.
Customers with questions can also inquire at their local post office or call the district Consumer Affairs office at 804-775-6313.
If you used a service with a money-back guarantee, you may be able to receive a refund.
For damaged or missing mail or packages, they recommend filing a claim immediately, requiring it to be filed no later than 60 days from the date it was mailed.
Norfolk Fire-Rescue, the Hampton Fire Department, VDOT, and Virginia State Police also responded to the scene, and crews used water and foam to put out the fire.
Norfolk Fire-Rescue worked with the Coast Guard to mitigate any runoff from the crash scene.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.