Interstate 80/94 Reopens After Large Truck Fire

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Interstate 80/94 was shut down for more than four hours Thursday morning near Portage, Indiana, after a truck hauling hazardous materials caught fire early Thursday.

Indiana State Police said a 2012 Freightliner semi hauling corrosives was heading west on I-80/94 just before 5 a.m., when the driver pulled the truck over to the shoulder because "he felt something not right." After pulling over, the driver noticed the rear wheels had caught fire, and the trailer soon was engulfed in flames.

The expressway was shut down in both directions after the crash.

Police said businesses north of the fire in the Ameriplex Industrial Center also were advised to evacuate, if needed. State police also said local authorities were evacuating all homes within a half mile of the fire.

Firefighters got the blaze under control by about 7 a.m., and police reopened the expressway by about 9:15 a.m.

Police said they believe the the fire was caused by the truck's brakes.