Skip to main content

‘Raging’ car fire on Interstate 95 temporarily causes significant delays

[connatix_element_embed script_id=dac87797e3fa4f1f8d82b8468bbca39e player_id=7bc491b4-922b-4e8d-b1b1-150648e80442 video_id=566645ac-ddfa-45ba-b5af-5807f7a416c4 align=right]

A vehicle fire on Interstate 95 left commuters stranded in miles’ worth of traffic delays on Monday in Maryland.

The fire was reported on the northbound lanes of I-95 near MD-198

It’s unclear what prompted the fire, or if any injuries were sustained from the incident.

“You can see the smoke in Laurel. A car fire raging,” WTOP traffic reporter Dave Dildine said of the incident. “This thing is burning to the ground. Tires exploding — a running fuel fire.”

WTOP’s Brian Albin added that the blaze prompted a traffic backup that stretched for a little over two miles as the interstate’s three left lanes were closed to commuters.

Officials were able to extinguish the fire just after 7:30 p.m. “If it was a pizza, it would be described as charred right now,” Albin said of the car.

While all northbound lanes have reopened, some delays are anticipated as normal traffic flows resume.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Washington Manassas Airport cleared to offer commercial airline flights

Washington Manassas Airport, formerly known as Manassas Regional Airport, has taken a big step toward its goal of offering passenger service. The airport, which is owned by the city of Manassas, Virginia, received its FAA Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, a designation required before commercial airlines can begin service. During a ceremony Monday, FAA Associate Administrator Dan Edwards presented a framed version of the certificate to airport leaders.  Edwards said it's "extremely rare" for an existing airport that caters to private flights to clear this hurdle. 
Read Next Story