Fumes and smoke wafted across central Seattle after a truck carrying liquid oxygen tanks caught fire and exploded, slowing traffic on a busy highway that traverses the city.

Emergency crews responded to the fiery scene on a southbound stretch of Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle Thursday afternoon. While authorities haven't released details on the cause of the explosion, traffic on I-5 remains snarled.

"Tanks are exploding," the Seattle Fire Department said on Twitter shortly before 2 p.m. "Please avoid the area."

The truck caught fire just after 1 p.m. and burned for over an hour, with some of the liquid oxygen tanks exploding and flying off the freeway, reports KOMO News. Emergency crews shut down both the north and southbound lanes of I-5 for over an hour, according to the station.

The city's emergency alert system advised nearby residents to close their doors and windows to avoid smoke exposure.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson told The Seattle Times that the truck's driver was able to get away and was uninjured. The truck was also carrying propane tanks, according to the paper.

The Seattle Fire Department said in a tweet sent after 4 p.m. that the fire on the flatbed truck was under control and no injuries were reported.

A video of the fire posted to Twitter shows the black mass of the truck engulfed in flames as tanks continue to detonate. (This video includes strong language that not all readers may find appropriate.)

Obtained by friend driving home. Some language. pic.twitter.com/1eAETjOoht

The truck's liquid oxygen tanks continued exploding for at least 30 minutes before firefighters were able to extinguish it with foam, reports local Fox affiliate KCPQ. A video of the fire obtained by the station shows thick fumes pouring from the truck obscuring the highway, causing traffic to slow.

Fire crews are monitoring the truck, which burned for over an hour, and are waiting for it to cool enough to secure the remaining liquid oxygen tanks, KOMO reports. After the truck is cleared, state Department of Transportation (DOT) workers will inspect the roadway for signs of fire damage to the highway, according to the station.

Despite the fire being quelled, transportation officials have warned that traffic is expected to be delayed for hours.

The DOT said in a tweet shortly before 4 p.m. that all southbound lanes on I-5 remain blocked, except for the express lanes. The department advised travelers to take alternative routes or the train.

"Expect some delays on alternate routes as well," the department said. "Consider postponing your travels."

Newsweek has reached out to the Washington DOT for comment.

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