CUMBERLAND, Md. — A tractor-trailer carrying bacon caught fire and burned on Interstate 68 in western Maryland Monday, shutting down eastbound traffic for six hours, according to Cumberland, Maryland Fire Department Capt. Steve Grogg.

Grogg said the truck was loaded with a variety of pork products including ribs.

“We’d rather have something like that than a hazardous material,” Grogg said.

Tanker trucks supplied the water to eventually douse the blaze. There were no injuries.

The truck came to a stop and burned just yards past an interstate exit.

Westbound interstate traffic was stopped for a short period early during the firefight. The local police department and the Maryland State Police dealt with detours.

A dispatcher at the area’s Allegany County 911 Center said he stepped outside late Monday and could smell the bacon burning.

“Just for our crew, this is the third tractor-trailer fire we’ve had in the city in the past two weeks,” Grogg said.

The others were near other Interstate 68 exits in the area.

“They all happen eastbound, coming down the mountain,” Grogg said. “The brakes get hot, catch on fire and it spreads into the trailer.”

Ten area volunteer fire departments were called to help on Monday.

While no drivers or other vehicles were affected by the fire, Grogg said a portion of fire hose was damaged beyond repair by bacon grease than fell onto it.

Sawyers writes for the Cumberland, Maryland Times-News.