KNOXVILLE (WVLT) – Both directions of Interstate 40 were shut down late Sunday morning after a tractor trailer caught on fire. It happened around 11:15 AM while the 18-wheeler was headed east near the 404 mile marker on the Knox County/Sevier County line.

According to investigators, a small fire somehow started in the truck’s cab, which prompted the driver to pull over and call for help.

When fire crews arrived, the whole vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. Fire companies from Sevier County, Knoxville, and Rural/Metro were joined by the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad in quickly closing down the interstate and getting the fire under control.

Shortly after crews knocked down the flames, a small oil leak caused one of the Rural/Metro tanker trucks on the scene to also briefly catch on fire.

No one was hurt, but travelers experienced some major headaches. Traffic was backed up for several miles because crews had to close all the east bound lanes of I-40 for a time-consuming clean up. The truck had been hauling thousands of pounds of rice, which crews said is very difficult to snuff out once it starts burning.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation had to bring in a backhoe, which was used to spread out the rice, allowing water to finally extinguish the smoldering staple food mess.

Two east bound lanes were reopened early Sunday afternoon, but the final lane remained closed until late in the evening.