Truck Fire Closes Part of Interstate 80 in Iowa

DEXTER, Iowa (AP) -- A tractor-trailer fire early Tuesday closed part of the west bound lane of Interstate 80 in central Iowa near the Dexter exit, while smoke was causing problems for drivers in the east bound lane, officials said.

The fire was reported around 5:30 a.m. The trailer caught on fire, and the tractor was able to separate from the trailer and pull away, the Iowa State Patrol said.

West bound traffic was being rerouted, troopers said. The east bound lane remained open, but smoke was a problem.

There was no immediate information on what the truck was hauling, and there were no reports of any injuries, the patrol said.

Dexter is about 30 miles west of Des Moines.