CHINA — A trucker jumped from his rig to escape flames after his tractor-trailer carrying 7,200 gallons of fuel crossed a ditch and caught fire Thursday night, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents.

The truck burned steadily into the night as firefighters stood by and police detoured traffic.

Dick Morse, chief of the South China Volunteer Fire Department, said the 10,000-gallon capacity tanker was carrying 7,200 gallons of fuel when it went off the road because of a tire problem.

Two homes had to be evacuated but Morse was uncertain how many people occupied those houses. The residents found shelter with neighbors farther down the road, the chief said.