Semi fire on Southern Boulevard spills 100 gallons of diesel

Drivers on westbound Southern Boulevard in central Palm Beach County faced long traffic delays Thursday after a semi caught fire.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said the tractor-trailer caught near the intersection with Jog Road at about 12:30 p.m.

Officials said the driver escaped without injuries before the semi became engulfed by flames.

Firefighters blocked off the area for the safety of other drivers and extinguished the blaze.

However, the fire caused 100 gallons of diesel fuel to spill onto the roadway.

Fire Rescue said their hazardous material crews put down a product to absorb it and created a barrier to stop the fuel from spreading.

The Department of Environmental Protection was called to manage the diesel in the roadway.

Traffic was getting back to normal by 6 p.m.