I-10 eastbound at Copia shut down Thursday afternoon as electric cars catch fire on vehicle carrier
Update: Two electric cars loaded on a vehicle carrier trailer caught fire Thursday, causing a multi-hour shutdown on I-10 eastbound lanes through the afternoon, according to the El Paso Fire Department. In a post on the its Facebook page, the department says El Paso firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire. Pictures from the department show firefighters approaching a vehicle with a charred front-end, with parts of vehicles loaded above it melting.
According to the department, firefighters had to ensure the lithium batteries inside the cars were safe enough to be moved from the scene.
The El Paso Police Department was able to clear the road to reopen fully by 5 PM.
I-10 East before Copia, Mile 21, Vehicle Fire, FINAL, ALL lanes now open, minor back.
— @EPPOLICETRAFFIC (@eppolicetraffic) July 25, 2024
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Traffic is backed up on Interstate 10 eastbound to the Schuster Ave exit near the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus.
ABC-7 cameras show a tractor-trailer vehicle carrier on the right shoulder surrounded by emergency vehicles, causing all traffic to exit I-10.
The El Paso Fire Department posted on x.com (formerly Twitter) that there were no injuries reported as of yet.
EPFD crews responding to an 18-wheeler fire at i10E and Copia.
— El Paso Fire Department (@EPTXFire) July 25, 2024
No injuries reported at this time. Stand by for updates. pic.twitter.com/71UAy1kdJW
El Paso Police posted that the time to clear would not be until later in the afternoon.
I-10 East before Copia, Mile 21, Vehicle Fire, UPDATE 2, Right 3 lanes and exit remain closed, All lanes closed on gateway east at Copia, thru traffic on gateway east must turn at San Marcial street, back up to Prospect, clearing time 2 hrs.
— @EPPOLICETRAFFIC (@eppolicetraffic) July 25, 2024
