Gary Salzman-KTVB

A semi-truck carrying a Bradley fighting vehicle briefly caught fire after blowing a tire on Interstate 84 this morning.

GLENNS FERRY -- Interstate 84 near Glenns Ferry was closed for about 45 minutes today after a semi-truck carrying a military vehicle caught fire.

The Bradley fighting vehicle was being taken to Gowen Field.

The soldier driving the semi says he was coming around the bend on the interstate when he saw smoke from the right rear tire of the semi trailer. From his side mirror the driver saw flames. 

Spc. Jason Dockstader says he tried to put the fire out, but the flames spread.

The Elmore County Fire Department was called to help extinguish the fire.   

Dockstader believes the ball bearing locked up, causing heat and friction inside the wheel.

"This is where I tried to extinguish it, but it wasn't going to happen so it just kept on going, knocked out all the wires, just a big pile of smoke," said Dockstader.

Another military semi truck was called to the scene to remove the tank.

The initial call for help came in around 11:20 a.m. By 12:10 p.m. traffice on the interstate was flowing normally again.