Semi-truck leaks hydrogen at I-10/25 interchange in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — A semi-truck leaking refrigerated liquid hydrogen caused a brief closure of the Interstate 10/25 interchange on Thursday evening.

Authorities were eventually able to move the truck to an isolated location near the New Mexico State University campus where hazardous materials crews were working late into the night to depressurize the truck and contain the leak.

Las Cruces Fire Department officials said the leak did not pose any immediate threat to nearby residents as a 300-foot evacuation zone was being observed.

The truck was en route from California to El Paso when it experienced the leak in Las Cruces.

As of 11 p.m., authorities estimated it would be sometime early Friday morning before the leak of the flammable gas, which is both odorless and colorless, was contained.

There were no reports of any injuries.