ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A vehicle fire closed two lanes of Interstate 40 eastbound near Smokey Park Highway early Thursday, causing major traffic delays west of Asheville.
The fire was reported just after Exit 44, U.S. 19 (Smokey Park Highway), near mile marker 45 in Buncombe County. The right two lanes of the three-lane roadway were shut down, and traffic was at a standstill, according to a post on the WNC Road Warriors Facebook page.
The incident began around 5:58 a.m. and was expected to impact traffic through about 7:58 a.m. Authorities said the expected impact to traffic was high.
Drivers were advised to avoid the area if possible and seek alternate routes.
