BATESVILLE, Miss. (AP) — A tractor-trailer carrying sulfur crashed and exploded on a highway in northern Mississippi. A civilian and two officers were able to free the driver from the truck before it exploded. A sheriff deputy said the driver was severely burned in the incident.

News sources report that homes were evacuated and roads were shut down near Batesville when the truck exploded.

Authorities say the crash happened Thursday on Interstate 55 near Batesville. That is about 63 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee.

Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby said the truck driver was flown to a Memphis hospital. Darby says two deputies had burns to their arms but are expected to be OK.

The truck was carrying 25,000 pounds  of sulfur, which can be hazardous if inhaled.

Traffic was diverted off the interstate and nearby homes were ordered evacuated.