Terrifying moment tanker explodes in a huge fireball after overturning on major highway leaving one dead

A person has been killed after a tanker exploded on an Alabama highway, sending large black plumes into the air. 

The incident happened on I-22 in Walker County on Tuesday morning and closed all lanes of the highway.

Walker County Coroner's office told ABC3340 that one person had died in the incident. 

Images and video taken at the scene show thick plumes of black smoke emitting from the wreckage.  Long lines of traffic can be seen forming behind the incident. 

Walker County Coroner's office told ABC3340 that one person had died in the incident

Images and video taken at the scene show thick plumes of black smoke emitting from the wreckage. Long lines of traffic can be seen forming behind the incident

The incident happened on I-22 in Walker County on Tuesday morning and closed all lanes of the highway

According to troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, a commercial vehicle overturned. 

A county commissioner also told WVTM13 that there was a large oil fire at the location. 

Officials with Alabama Department of Transportation said they were not certain which direction the truck was headed when it crashed. 

The agency also said they did not know what type of load it was hauling. 

Westbound lanes of the highway are expected to be closed for several hours while crews attend to the scene.  

Officials told WVTM that due to fire damage the road may need to be re-topped.