SMYRNA, DELAWARE (12/31/2014) A fire on a tractor-trailer carrying live chickens caused a major traffic jam today on southbound Route 1 north of Smyrna.
State police say it began about 11 a.m. when Ralph I. Elsey, 62, of Seaford, was driving the tractor-trailer lnorth of Black Diamond Road.
A tire on the rear of the trailer blew out, starting the fire.
Elsey managed to pull the truck onto the shoulder and get out safely.
Members of the Townsend Fire Company arrived and extinguished the fire.
Southbound lanes of Route 1 remained closed until the fire was out, with crews diverting motorists through an emergency access at New Discovery Road. One lane of southbound Route 1 remained closed until the chickens were transferred to another tractor-trailer and the wreckage was removed about 3:10 p.m.