Accident And Vehicle Fire Brings Temple Traffic To A Standstill - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

(KCEN) -- Around 8:30 this morning, Temple police, TxDOT and Texas DPS responded to a single vehicle accident on I-35 northbound around exit 299 in Temple. 

They found a semi, which was towing a manufactured house, had hit the center wall dividing the northbound and southbound lanes. After it hit the wall, the semi jack-knifed and caught the truck between the load and the center wall.

A fire broke out between the truck and the trailer.

Both the truck and home were engulfed in flames and witnesses said explosions took place. 

Soon after this, four other vehicles were involved in a separate accident.

Traffic for both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-35 were rerouted while emergency responders worked to put out the fire and ensure everyone was safe.

The driver of the semi got himself out of the vehicle and was taken to Scott & White with non life-threatening injuries. 

Around 10 a.m. firefighters had the fire extinguished and removed the hoses from the northbound lanes of the interstate, allowing for traffic on that side to open again. 

The southbound lanes were reopened around 1:45 p.m.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

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UPDATE (KCEN) -- The driver of the semi got out of the vehicle on his own after the wreck and was transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and non life-threatening injuries.

The vehicle ran into the median of I-35 southbound near exit 299 in Temple. A few light poles were knocked down and then the semi and its load caught on fire. The fire also engulfed four other vehicles according to DPS.

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A traffic accident on I-35 near Loop 363 in Temple left a semi on fire and forced police to re-route traffic away from the accident on to the frontage roads.

Witnesses say the driver lost control and was able to get out of the vehicle and was laying in the grass with minor burns. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The truck knocked out a light pole and wrapped itself around the median during the crash, turned the wrong way. Debris scattered for up to a mile.

Police are still investigating what caused the accident and fire.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway were closed as they worked to put out the fire and clear the accident. While the northbound lane is now open, drivers are advised to steer clear of the area if at all possible.

Stay with KCEN for the latest updates to this developing story.