SIDNEY - A fire inside the trailer of a semi-tractor-trailer diverted traffic off Interstate 80 in the southern Nebraska panhandle Tuesday morning.

The eastbound lanes were closed at Sidney before 11 a.m. while the scene was cleaned up. Drivers were being sent to Highway 30 to avoid the scene. The interstate reopened at 11:45 a.m.

A photo from the Nebraska State Patrol shows volunteer fire fighters observing fire damage and debris at the tail-end of the trailer. The trailer, which was sitting upright off its wheels and on the ground, had been disconnected from the semi-tractor. 

The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported the lane closure was due to an accident. A photo from NDOT shows a long line of traffic exiting the eastbound lanes at Exit 59 in Sidney.

The condition of the driver, and any other occupants, and damage estimates were not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel Nebraska for the latest.