ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A truck crash and fire shut down westbound Interstate 40 in Haywood County on Thursday afternoon, triggering major traffic backups stretching to Asheville and prompting emergency repairs to the roadway, officials said.
According to reports, the crash occurred around 1:40 p.m. near mile marker 34, when a dump truck heading westbound suffered a tire blowout and slammed into the concrete median. The truck overturned, spilled a load of gravel and caught fire just past Exit 33 in Canton.
The fire produced thick, gray smoke visible from nearby roads and forced authorities to close all westbound lanes at Exit 37 (Wiggins Road). Only one eastbound lane remained open for a time as first responders worked to extinguish the blaze and clear debris from the highway.
By late afternoon, eastbound lanes had reopened, but the westbound side remained closed for repairs. The westbound lanes are expected to reopen by 7 p.m.
Traffic headed west from Asheville was being detoured through downtown Canton, causing significant delays during the afternoon commute. Long backups were reported extending toward Asheville.
