A tractor trailer hauling tons of frozen chicken caught fire Thursday, shutting down Interstate 8 in the East County.
The semi driver was traveling west on I-8 near Second Street around 1 a.m. when he noticed smoke and flames coming from the back of the truck.
The trailer held 40,000 pounds of frozen chicken, according to California Highway Patrol officers.
The driver immediately pulled to the shoulder and called for help.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and jumped on the fire.
CHP officers rerouted several lanes of traffic.
By 5:30 a.m., all lanes of westbound I-8 were reopened.
Crews were able to save some of those boxes of chicken and hauled them away.
No one was injured.
