LAURINBURG — The portion of U.S. 74 closed following a vehicle fire in Scotland County has reopened, a spokesperson for the NC Department of Transportation confirmed Friday.
NCDOT’s Jonathan Rand said the eastbound portion of the interstate, which has been closed for over a week for cleanup and structural and pavement repair has opened“with no detours.” The road closure was a result of damages caused by a massive vehicle fire said to have involved a tractor-trailer carrying a boat.
NCDOT on Thursday closed U.S. 74 East at Exit 185 and implemented a detour around the site of the accident that took travelers on U.S. 501. Highland Road was also closed during that time from US-74 Business to Harry Malloy Road.
According to the City of Laurinburg Fire Department, three other fire departments assisted in extinguishing the fire that created a plume of smoke seen for miles.
“We would like to thank every Scotland County Fire Department, Robeson and Marlboro for the assistance today working a very tragic Motor Vehicle Accident on Highway 74 … Prayers for all families involved today, as well as for the first responders working this tragic accident,” said Laurinburg Fire Chief Jordan McQueen in a Facebook post.