Fiery Crash Closes Part Of I-49- Update 3am

[Updated] as of 3am one southbound lane of  I-49 is open to traffic. Troopers expect the northbound lanes to be closed for several more hours.

An early morning crash involving an 18 wheeler has portions of Interstate 49 closed in both directions as of 2am this morning. According to reports from Louisiana State Police, the accident occurred near milepost 9 in the southbound lanes. Reports say that at least one of the vehicles involved is an 18 wheeler and that vehicle is on fire. That is the reason that both lanes of traffic have been closed in and around the accident scene. Traffic is being diverted off of the roadway at Exit 11 for those traveling southbound . Northbound traffic will be diverted off the interstate at Exit 7. Authorities expect the northbound lanes to be close for several hours as the fire is tended to. The southbound lanes could be closed even longer as crews will need extra time to investigate the accident and remove the damaged vehicles from the roadway.