(COLDWATER TOWNSHIP) – A portion of I-69 in Branch County was closed down for a few hours Monday afternoon after a semi caught fire and exploded.

Michigan State Police say the semi was on I-69 near Dorrence Road in Coldwater Township at 5:15 PM when the driver, a 50 year old Fort Wayne man, called 911 to say his semi cab was on fire. Witnesses told troopers a few minutes later the cab exploded and the driver was on fire and rolling on the ground.

The driver was taken to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne with serious burn injuries. He was later transferred to an Indianapolis hospital. His name and condition have not been released.

The Coldwater Fire Department was called to the scene and were able to put out the fire.

Troopers say I-69 was closed down for approximately two hours, with the exception of one northbound lane. The incident is still under investigation.