A house fire Tuesday afternoon has closed down traffic on Highway 17 in Jones County.

The fire happened around 3:45 p.m. at a home north of Pollocksville. Fire trucks have one lane of the busy highway blocked. Authorities are alternating traffic between the open lane.

Traffic was backed up to Maysville at one point, so motorists should avoid the area.

The home is a total loss because of the fire. The fire marshal says it appears to have started because of an electrical problem in a front bedroom. No one was at home when the fire broke out.