It was around 8 p.m. Thursday when an accident occurred between two semi-trucks. The head on collision caused a massive fireball stopping both lanes of traffic at mile marker 114 on I-10 westbound. Where and how this accident occurred lengthened the process of getting the high way re-opened.
"We had Haz-Mat on scene. 1 o'clock they started their work and the clean up because of the contamination of the highway," Henderson Police Chief Leroy Guidry said.
The contamination was drilling mud. A flammable material which spilled out of one of the 18-wheelers, fueling the fire. When an accident like this happens, many things need to happen in order to safely and successfully clean the area. First, a plan needs to be put together before contractors can come in. Then they must evaluate the material needing to be cleaned up. The drilling mud is very slick and oily. A material similar to kitty litter was used to soak it up, then must be shoveled away after the mud is absorbed.
Not only that, but the location of the accident on the highway also added to the clean up time. With the full execution of the plan Henderson Police Chief Leroy
Guidry feels the process was done quickly and efficiently.
"They'll pass this area and won't even know that something occurred in this area."