Yesterday coming home from a weekend of camping and my left rear inner tire blew out. I did not think it was to bad until I looked back about 1/4 mile and saw a fire starting on the side of the road. ...
Based on what you have said happened, it might not have been the tire that failed first. Since the back part of your drive shaft was dropped, I am guessing that the rear U-joint failed, which threw the drive shaft, which took out the exhaust and inner tire. Usually if the middle carrier bearing fails, it just makes a lot of noise without ejecting any parts.