ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A vehicle fire early Thursday forced the closure of part of Interstate 40 in Haywood County, officials said.
Traffic reports indicated the eastbound lanes near mile marker 28.5, close to the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway and Clyde, were shut down following the fire. The closure is about two miles east of Exit 27 for U.S. 74. Officials warned that the impact to traffic was expected to be high as crews responded to the scene.
The incident was reported around 5:53 a.m., and the roadway was expected to remain closed until about 10:53 a.m., according to the report. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes and anticipate delays.
The North Canton Fire Department said in a statement that a truck and trailer were destroyed and the interstate’s infrastructure suffered heavy damage. There were no reported injuries.
“We are still on scene of a major MVA with fire at the East 29 mile marker on I-40,” Chief Steve Kelley said in a statement. “Thank you to all departments involved: Clyde Volunteer Fire Department, Junaluska Fire Department, NC DOT, NC SHP, IMAP, and Hatton’s Towing & Recovery.”