Traffic throughout Zelienople and in Jackson Township was snarled for hours this morning as motorists heading north along Interstate 79 were forced off the highway because of a tanker truck fire.

Motorists stuck on the interstate were still stopped late this morning where the charred remains of a tanker truck sat on the side of the highway.

State police say the truck's trailer and its own gas tank caught fire while it was traveling northbound near Zelienople shortly after 7 a.m.

Crews worked about an hour to put out the fire and to ensure that 4,000 gallons of gasoline being carried in the tanker didn't catch fire.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. Traffic was detoured onto routes 68 and 19 to get around the ruins.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic and heavy delays greeted northbound motorists along the entire length of Route 19 through Zelienople and into Jackson Township. Motorists heading west on Route 68 from its junction with I-79 faced similar traffic problems.

Borough police and volunteer firefighters were on hand to direct traffic at key intersections along Route 19 in the borough and the township.