Fireworks Trailer Ignites on I‑75 Near Chattanooga

A trailer loaded with fireworks erupted in flames on Interstate 75 near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Saturday evening, June 6, 2026, triggering a chaotic scene of explosions and forcing a full shutdown of the major highway. No injuries were reported despite fireworks launching across travel lanes and overpasses from the burning trailer.

The incident occurred on northbound I-75 near the Ooltewah exit, roughly 25 miles east of Chattanooga. Emergency responders, including the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, Chattanooga Fire Department, and law enforcement, arrived to find a work truck's trailer fully engulfed. Authorities stated the trailer was full of fireworks, all of which became involved in the fire, with devices going off in multiple directions and endangering drivers.

As a safety precaution, both directions of the interstate were closed to allow firefighters to work and to keep motorists safe from flying debris. Crews used the closed roadway to shuttle water to the scene. The southbound lanes reopened relatively quickly, while northbound lanes remained closed for an extended period as crews extinguished hot spots and cleared the wreckage. The roadway was fully reopened...