Garbage truck catches fire along I-440 in Raleigh, creating traffic backup

A recycling truck caught fire Tuesday morning on Interstate 440 in Raleigh, creating very heavy delays.

The fire was reported around 5:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-440 near Exit 5 for Lake Boone Trail. A WRAL viewer sent a photo of large flames on the shoulder beside the exit.

According to Raleigh police, no one was injured when the truck caught fire. Officials said the truck had just picked up a load of cardboard, which somehow caught fire.

The driver pulled over on the side of I-440 to avoid further damage to the truck. Traffic was moving slowly before 6:30 a.m. due to onlooker delays but improved before 7 a.m.

Sky 5 flew overhead, where a large pile of charred cardboard was visible.

The Raleigh Fire Department extinguished the fire, and the truck was towed from the scene.