UPDATE: Witnesses tell KPEL state police are opening the second lane. Traffic remains backed up towards Breaux Bridge.

An 18-wheeler fire on Interstate 10 West is backing up traffic all the way to Breaux Bridge.

Louisiana State Police says the 18-wheeler caught fire near the Louisiana Avenue exit early Thursday morning. According to troopers, the Lafayette Fire Department put out the fire, but officials had to wait for the truck to cool down before they could call a wrecker to remove the vehicle from the road.

Troopers say a wrecker is working to recover the 18-wheeler. While that work is expected to take several hours, troopers say most of that work will take place on the shoulder. This, they say, will allow them to reopen the interstate sometime around 7:30 a.m.

Until then, one lane is closed. Drivers should use the Breaux Bridge Highway or another alternate route to avoid the traffic jam.

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