Box Elder, SD – A car engulfed in flames brought eastbound traffic on Interstate 90 near the Box Elder exit to a standstill late Thursday morning. Emergency responders were quick to the scene, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Eyewitness accounts began filtering in around 11:30 a.m., describing a vehicle intensely ablaze on the eastbound lane. Box Elder Fire Department and Police were the first to arrive, quickly identifying the situation as an RV towing a passenger car, a 2013 Fiat 500, with the fire originating in the towed vehicle.
Preliminary information released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol indicates that the driver of the motorhome noticed smoke emanating from the Fiat 500 he was towing. Acting swiftly, the driver was able to pull over and detach the smaller vehicle from the RV before it became fully engulfed in flames.
The rapid response of the Box Elder Fire Department ensured the fire was contained and extinguished quickly. As a result, the closure of the eastbound lanes of I-90 was relatively brief, lasting approximately 18 minutes. Authorities were able to open one lane for through traffic shortly after, and both lanes were fully reopened by 11:30 a.m., minimizing disruption to travel.
The name of the individual involved has not been released at this time. The South Dakota Highway Patrol has taken over jurisdiction and is currently conducting a full investigation into the cause of the fire.
