Tractor-trailer carrying 34K pounds of live crabs catches fire on the interstate

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A tractor-trailer carrying live crabs caught fire on an interstate in Tennessee Wednesday morning, closing an off-ramp.

A preliminary report from the Tennessee Highway Patrol said the driver was traveling north on I-81 when he saw a fire break out near the rear trailer axle. This prompted him to park the truck on the shoulder of the Exit 12 ramp near Morristown.

The driver was able to detach the cab from the trailer, which was engulfed in flames.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that the trailer was hauling about 34,000 pounds of live crabs. Mark Nagi of the Tennessee Department of Transportation said two-thirds of the live crabs were salvaged.

The fire caused an extensive shutdown of the ramp, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the ramp reopened just after 4:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported. Authorities said the fire was believed to have been caused by a rear trailer brake.