The Dallas Morning News (Texas)

DALLAS — A tractor trailer burned Tuesday after half of the truck went over a guardrail and came to rest on an embankment below.

Firefighters extinguished the flames as a portion of the truck's trailer remained on the northbound Interstate 35E ramp to Interstate 635 in Dallas.

"The trailer almost broke in half," said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Sherrie Lopez. At some point the fuel tank ruptured and the cab caught on fire.

The fire sent thick smoke into the air and forced the shutdown of the ramp, a portion of Harry Hines Boulevard and eastbound I-635 between I-35E and Josey Lane.

The one-vehicle accident was reported shortly before 11 a.m., a Dallas police dispatcher said.

Ms. Lopez said the truck was carrying several items, including 270 pounds of mosquito insecticide.

The truck driver was not seriously injured but transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital, she said.

The driver told officials he was awake and does not know why he lost control of the truck, Ms. Lopez said.

Copyright 2008 The Dallas Morning News