News Summary
A series of car fires on Interstate 10 and State Route 51 in Phoenix caused major traffic disruptions this afternoon. The fires led to lane closures and significant slowdowns as emergency services responded. No injuries were reported from one fire, but a separate incident involved a heroic rescue by a Goodyear police officer. Residents are urged to stay informed on traffic updates as the situation develops.
Phoenix – A car fire on Interstate 10 in west Phoenix this afternoon has caused significant traffic delays. The incident occurred on the shoulder of I-10 near 43rd Avenue, and the fire was spotted by cameras operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation. As of now, the cause of the fire remains uncertain, and it is unclear how many individuals were involved in this incident.
The Department of Public Safety has been contacted to provide further information regarding the fire. As traffic disruptions continue, drivers in the area are advised to expect slowdowns on the highway due to this ongoing situation. Traffic conditions are being monitored, and real-time updates are available for motorists to plan their routes accordingly. 12News has promised to provide further updates on this situation as they become available.
In a different event occurring around the same time, a separate car fire on state Route 51 in north Phoenix led to major freeway delays. The southbound lanes were closed between Cactus Road and Shea Boulevard due to a vehicle collision that happened around 4 p.m., one of which resulted in a car catching fire. Emergency services transported two individuals to a local hospital, and though their injuries remain undisclosed, crews worked swiftly to remove the burned vehicle and clear the highway. The southbound lanes of the freeway reopened shortly before 5 p.m., while the northbound lanes were not affected by the incident.
Additionally, fire crews were called to a spectacular incident at a classic car showroom located near 5th Street and Dunlap Avenue. The fire, which started around 5 p.m., led to the destruction of between 15 and 17 cars. Firefighters successfully saved an additional 20 vehicles from flames that spread from a single car’s engine. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from this blaze, and the Phoenix Fire Department has been working to gather further details on the incident.
Adding to the list of recent fire-related incidents, on May 24, a heroic rescue by a Goodyear police officer highlighted the dangers of vehicle fires on the highways. Officer Dakota Berry, upon noticing a crash and hearing honking from a burning car, bravely intervened. He used a glass-breaking tool to save a woman who was trapped inside the vehicle, with her hair reportedly on fire at the time of the rescue. Despite sustaining a hand injury during the operation, Officer Berry successfully brought the woman to safety. Following the harrowing ordeal, she was transported to a burn center in critical condition but is expected to survive. In a twist of fate, it was later revealed that the woman is the daughter of a Goodyear firefighter. To help prevent further accidents, Officer Berry placed flares on the highway after the rescue.
As emergency responders continue their work throughout the region, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and stay informed on traffic conditions. Keeping abreast of local breaking news is important to ensure safety on the roads as these situations develop. The 12News app is available for users who wish to receive updates directly on their mobile devices, while the 12+ app allows for streaming live events and watching on-demand videos, thus keeping the community connected during these challenging times.
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Additional Resources
- 12 News: Car Fire on I-10
- AZ Family: North Phoenix Freeway Reopens
- Fox 10 Phoenix: Classic Cars Burned in Showroom Fire
- AP News: Officer Rescues Woman from Burning Car
- ABC 15: Truck Driver Helps Extinguish Car Fire
- Wikipedia: Car Fire
- Google Search: Car Fire Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Vehicle Fire Incidents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Car Fire
- Google News: Car Fire Phoenix
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
