Jefferson County crews said the interstate was reopened after the fire was put out. Traffic was backed up to the I-81 split.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. β A semi-truck fire briefly shut down part of Interstate 40 in Jefferson County.Β
The fire happened on I-40 West at Exit 417 near Dandridge.Β
According to the Dandridge Fire Chief Andy Riley, a semi-truck hauling a trailer with an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race car inside caught fire around 11 a.m., shutting down the interstate.Β
According to the Dandridge Fire Department, one of the wheels on the trailer blew out and sparked the fire. It weakened the floor of the trailer, but crews were able to put it out before it reached the inside.
The fire department said the race car appeared to be undamaged, saying it belonged to ARCA racer Isabella Robusto. She was traveling separately from the team hauler crew to Michigan. Β
As of 11:30 a.m., one lane of I-40 West had reopened and traffic was moving again. Traffic remained backed up past the I-81 split.
