Chaos erupted on an Austin highway Tuesday afternoon after a vehicle burst into flames and was struck by another car, officials said. The incident unfolded along the 6200 block of Interstate 35, near William Cannon Drive, at around 1:10 p.m., snarling traffic as firefighters rushed to manage the blaze. KXAN reported that the Austin Fire Department was on the scene of the vehicle fire, located between East Stassney Lane and East William Cannon Drive, where smoke and flames were visible from the hood of the car.
According to a CBS Austin report, the Austin Fire Department posted on social media that the "vehicle on fire appears to have now been hit by another vehicle." Witnesses could only stand by as motorists were urged to avoid the area and find different routes to go on about their day. Details regarding the cause of the fire or any injuries were not immediately available from officials.
AFD responding to a vehicle fire in the 6200 block of S Ih 35 proper. Reports of flames coming from hood of vehicle. Avoid the area #ATXTraffic @austinmobility
— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) December 5, 2023
Heavy traffic was reported following the accident, as the Austin Fire Department worked diligently to extinguish the flames and assess the scene. The aftermath of the collision, which has led to increased congestion and significant delays for commuters, illustrates just how quickly such an incident can disrupt the usual pace of city life.
The advice from officials was clear, as drivers were asked to "continue to avoid the area and seek alternate routes,” to circumvent the gridlock caused by the fire and subsequent collision.
