KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – Authorities worked throughout Friday afternoon and night to divert traffic and clean up after a semi-truck cargo fire on Interstate 40 that began just after 5 p.m.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Dept. of Transportation worked to clean up the scene and divert the traffic to Lenoir City.
LCSO confirmed with WATE 6 On Your Side the semi-truck had been hauling cocoa powder.
TDOT said the westbound lanes reopened just before 11 p.m. Friday, with traffic estimated to clear out by 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
A semi-truck cargo fire had shut down the lanes of I-40 West Friday around 3:30 p.m. near the I-75 split in Loudon County, with westbound traffic coming to a stand-still for hours.
Westbound traffic was diverted onto I-75 South toward Lenoir City.
LCSO gave drivers direction via its social media, saying earlier Friday evening: “Motorists wishing to get back on I-40 Westbound can take exit 81 in Lenoir City onto US 321. 321 will connect drivers to I-40, bypassing the scene of the fire.”
LCSO Cpl. Fagiana saying the truck driver was ok and got out of the vehicle before the fire.
