A routine haul turned into a major traffic nightmare on Interstate 84.

A wood-hauling tractor-trailer burst into flames in Southeast, forcing police to shut down the entire highway and creating gridlock for Hudson Valley commuters.

The fire started in the trucks cab while traveling eastbound, quickly engulfing the vehicle and sending thick black smoke across all lanes.

The Closure

With a burning truck blocking traffic and smoke reducing visibility, state police closed I-84 in both directions.

No eastbound traffic. No westbound traffic. The highway became a parking lot stretching for miles.

I-84 is a major corridor through the Hudson Valley, connecting New York to Connecticut.

When it closes, thousands of commuters are affected, from truckers carrying goods to residents heading to work.

The Response

Fire departments from multiple jurisdictions responded to battle the blaze.

Tow trucks removed the damaged vehicle while police directed traffic onto alternate routes.

The highway reopened several hours later after the scene was cleared.

No injuries were reported, but the incident served as a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong on the highway.