Tractor trailer carrying potatoes catches fire, snarls LIE traffic near Hauppauge through morning commute

A tractor trailer fire early Tuesday that spilled a haul of potatoes closed several lanes of the Long Island Expressway through the morning commute near Hauppauge, authorities said.

The fire was between Exits 55 and 56 on the eastbound right shoulder, according to the Suffolk police. At one point, three of the four eastbound lanes were closed.

The call came in around 4 a.m., the police press office wrote in an email. By 5 p.m., all lanes on the LIE had reopened.

No injuries were reported. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation, police said.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.