The southbound lanes of I-75 in Bartow County were partially blocked most of the morning Thursday after a truckload of flour caught fire.

The load of 40,000 pounds of flour burned before 5 a.m. near the Red Top Mountain Road exit, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The fire had been doused by 5:15, but "the cargo mixed with the water and leaked onto the road," DOT spokesman Bryan Gunter said.

Gunter said the flour and water mixture created "a difficult-to-remove slurry."

The two right lanes of the southbound interstate remained blocked during the morning rush hour. The lanes were reopened by 11 a.m.

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff