FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - A semi-truck caught fire and went up in flames along I-696 during the thick of the commute Thursday morning, causing a traffic backup that stretched for miles.
The fire took off just before 6:45 a.m. while the trailer was on the shoulder of eastbound I-696 between Drake and Farmington roads in Farmington Hills.
Crews initially had the blaze extinguished, but the flames picked up a second time around 8 a.m. and quickly consumed about half of the trailer.
After the flames were extinguished for good, firefighters started pulling out and dousing still-smoldering content from the trailer.
A cause of the fire wasn't immediately clear. No injuries were reported.
Traffic is backed up for miles, from I-275 to the west and Orchard Lake Road to the east. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.