Tanker truck crash

A diesel tanker truck crashed and burst into flames on Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau shortly after 1 p.m.

The wreck sent plums of black smoke and fire shooting into the sky just south of the Route K/William Street exit, closing northbound lanes. Southbound lanes of the interstate remained open to traffic.

Cape Girardeau firefighters called for assistance from the Gordonville Fire Department, and called for Cape Girardeau Public Works Department trucks to respond with sand to block drainage paths in order to contain leaking diesel fuel.

Watch burning tanker