Tanker truck fire blocks Interstate 95

BENSON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Both directions of Interstate 95 were shut down briefly Friday morning at exit 81 after an 18-wheeler burst into flames near the Interstate 40 interchange.

Emergency crews were called to the scene just before 9 a.m. near Benson in Johnston County when a fire started behind the dashboard. Authorities said it was likely caused by an electrical issue.

The truck would normally have been carrying ethanol, but was empty. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames quickly. No one was injured.

The fire originally shut down all four lanes of I-95, but the North Carolina Highway Patrol reopened the two southbound lanes around 9:15 a.m. One northbound lane reopened around 9:45. All lanes were reopened just before 11 a.m.

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