A tractor trailer rig caught fire Thursday afternoon closing one lane of Interstate 8.

The incident was reported at about 3:00 p.m. Thursday on eastbound I-8 near the truck escape ramp on Mt. Springs Grade. The fully loaded trailer caught fire and continued to burn for some time as Imperial County Fire Department  personnel worked to get at the contents of the trailer. One lane of the freeway was blocked for several ours due to the fire and scattered debris. The trailer was going to be cut apart for a tow truck to be able to move the wreckage. The wreckage was cleared away and the freeway lane reopened by 8:45 p.m.