BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- Troopers re-opened southbound I-95 in Brevard County late Thursday afternoon after it was shut down near Mims for more than 14 hours. An 18-wheeler carrying dangerous chemicals caught fire and hazmat crews were called in to clean up the mess.

Firefighters say the truck was carrying two chemicals, nickel sulfate propoxy acidic acid and phosphate ammonia. Crews were concerned between the fire and their attempt to extinguish it, because the chemicals might release a cloud of phosgene gas, a compound that will irritate the eyes and lungs and was once used as chemical weapon in World War I.

The semi was headed south on the Interstate when the driver notice a problem with his trailer. Authorities believe his brakes caught fire and then the rest of the trailer started to go up in flames. Experts say brakes can reach temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Authorities did not know where the chemicals were being shipped to or for what purpose, but say they were being shipped legally.

Meanwhile, thousands of drivers were being diverted off the interstate.

"I don't even know where I'm going," said one driver.

Some travelers took it in stride, even though they were forced to take an 11-mile detour through Scottsmoor and Mims to get around the wreckage.

"A little inconvenient. Yeah, a little bit," said the driver.

Eyewitness News timed the detour and it took about 25 minutes to get around the wreck.