Inferno on Airline Drive: Pre‑Dawn 18‑Wheeler Blaze in Kenner Triggers HazMat Diesel Cleanup and Traffic Chaos
KENNER, LA (May 7, 2025) — A pre‑dawn fire Wednesday engulfed multiple 18‑wheeler cabs parked on East Airline Drive, sending plumes of black smoke across the Kenner skyline and triggering a hazardous‑materials response for spilled diesel.
Rapid Response, No Injuries
Shortly before 5 a.m., Kenner Fire Department crews arrived to find three fully involved tractor units blazing in an open lot just west of the airport. Mutual‑aid companies from Jefferson and St. Charles parishes joined the effort. Despite the fire’s intensity, all drivers had escaped unharmed, and none of the nine firefighters on scene were injured.
Diesel Spill Contained
As flames warped fuel tanks, an estimated 200 gallons of diesel leaked onto the pavement. Hazmat teams deployed absorbent booms and pads to prevent runoff into nearby drainage ditches feeding Bayou Segnette. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is sampling soil and water to ensure no lasting contamination.
Lightning Under Scrutiny
Investigators are examining whether a lightning strike during an overnight storm ignited the trucks. The Kenner Fire Marshal’s Office is coordinating with the National Weather Service to compare strike‑map data with the fire’s start time.
Traffic and Commerce Impacted
East Airline Drive was closed for nearly four hours between Williams Boulevard and Loyola Drive. Freight traffic to the airport was rerouted, delaying several morning cargo runs. One lane in each direction reopened by 9 a.m., with full traffic restoration expected by midday.
Looking Ahead
- Fire report: A preliminary cause determination is due within 72 hours; a full marshal’s report will follow in two weeks.
- Environmental monitoring: LDEQ will continue testing for diesel contamination over the next week.
- Community update: Mayor Michael Glaser praised firefighters’ swift action and assured support for cleanup efforts.
Stay with WDSU online and on‑air for updates on the investigation, environmental findings, and traffic advisories.