CLINTONVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — A portion of Interstate 80 Eastbound near Clintonville was closed Friday evening after a truck hauling a load of Jeeps caught fire.

(Photos provided by Clintonville Volunteer Fire Chief Gerry Rea)

Authorities say a car hauler blew a tire and caught fire near mile marker 33. The blaze quickly spread to the load of Jeeps.

Firefighters were dispatched around 5:40 p.m.

The fire shut down the stretch of I-80 for nearly four hours while crews cleared the scene. The roadway has since reopened.

Clintonville Volunteer Fire Chief Gerry Rea told exploreVenango.com that when they arrived on the scene three or four of the Jeeps were already on fire.

“The grassy area near the tractor-trailer had also caught on fire,” said Chief Rea. “Our guys were hosing down the area around the truck to get that under control.”

Firefighters disconnected the truck from the trailer trying to save the Jeep that was on top of the truck, according to Chief Rae.

There was a total of eight Jeeps. Six were totaled, one had minor damages, and one was untouched.

The following volunteer fire companies were dispatched to the scene:

– Clintonville Volunteer Fire Department
– Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department
– Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company
– Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company
– Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company

Franklin-based State Police were also on the scene.

I-80 reopened around 9:45 p.m.

No injuries were reported.