Fully engulfed vehicle fire on I-5 stalls traffic Monday

A disabled vehicle burst into flames Monday afternoon on Interstate-5 near Maytown, blocking two lanes of traffic while fire fighters worked to put out the flames.

Just after 2:30 p.m. Monday, a van pulled over to the shoulder of I-5 south near milepost 95 and soon after the occupants exited, its engine burst into flames, said West Thurston Fire Assistant Chief Rob Smith.

Washington State Patrol Officers were the first to respond to the scene and called fire in to put out the flames, said State Patrol Sgt. Darren Wright.

State patrol officers and fire fighters blocked two lanes of traffic on I-5 to better manage the flames which spread and fully engulfed the vehicle as well as a 10x20 foot patch of grass to the side of the highway, said Smith.

Smith told the Olympian It took 10 minutes to put out the fires and at 3 p.m. the scene was secure and fire units left.

Washington State patrol stayed and spoke with the vehicles two occupants, Wright said, and after a tow truck hauled the charred van away, the two were given a ride home by patrol officers.

This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 11:12 AM.