Tanker fire shuts down Highway 101 off-ramp in Santa Rosa

A tanker truck caught fire on a Highway 101 off-ramp in Santa Rosa Tuesday afternoon, blocking cars from exiting part of the freeway for more than an hour.

The vehicle fire was reported to the CHP at about 3:41 p.m. on the southbound off-ramp at College Avenue, the CHP said.

The tanker, which was hauling milk, had pulled over to the right-hand side of the freeway, CHP spokesman Officer David deRutte said. The truck’s driver was able to exit the vehicle unharmed before the truck’s cab burst into flames, deRutte said.

The fire was under control about 10 minutes after it was reported to authorities. An investigation into what started the blaze was underway, deRutte said.

Traffic was backed up to River Road on Highway 101 as the off-ramp was closed to vehicles until just after 5 p.m., when one lane was reopened, the CHP said. The remaining lane was cleared later Tuesday afternoon.

You can reach Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez at 707-521-5203 or nashelly.chavez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nashellytweets.