A Toronto fire captain was taken to hospital Monday afternoon, after suffering a medical emergency en route to a garbage truck fire on Highway 400.

The highway’s four northbound lanes were blocked at Steeles Avenue at about 1 p.m. on Monday, after flames and thick plumes of smoke began billowing from the garbage truck.

It is not clear what caused the fire. Traffic was backed up for kilometres.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and doused the blaze. Traffic has since resumed.

Toronto Fire said a captain with a pre-existing medical condition suffered a shortness of breath en route to the accident. He was taken to Humber Finch Regional Hospital for treatment.