Ottawa

Burning truck scorches Highway 401 near Napanee

A transport truck was destroyed by fire near Napanee, Ont., Wednesday morning, damaging a section of Highway 401 severely enough to force its closure for resurfacing.

Detour in place while eastbound lanes remain closed for resurfacing

This truck caught fire after a single-vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Napanee, Ont., damaging the road surface. (Ontario Provincial Police)

A transport truck was destroyed by fire near Napanee, Ont., Wednesday morning, damaging a section of eastbound Highway 401 severely enough to force its closure for resurfacing.

The truck caught fire and "completely burned" following a single-vehicle collision around 4:30 a.m. near the Palace Road exit, Ontario Provincial Police said. 

Police originally estimated the repairs would be completed and normal traffic would resume around 5 p.m., but now say that won't happen until after 6 p.m.

Westbound lanes of Highway 401 remain open.

In the meantime OPP are asking motorists to exit at Palace Road and take County Road 2 to County Road 4.

No injuries were reported, and OPP did not say what the truck was carrying.

CBC News has learned the driver of the truck has been charged with careless driving. 

With files from Frédéric Pepin