EPFD battling tractor trailer fire on I-10, motorcyclist injured in unrelated crash

Four lanes of Interstate 10 East in Central El Paso have reopened after the highway was closed for hours after a tractor trailer caught fire, causing major traffic delays, authorities said.

I-10 East at Copia Street had four lanes reopened about 4:10 p.m. Thursday, July 25, after TxDOT crews needed a crane to remove the fire-damaged tractor trailer from the highway, Texas Department of Transportation officials said. Gateway Boulevard East also reopened as emergency crew vehicles blocking the road left the scene, El Paso Police Department officials said.

Two electric vehicles being carried on the tractor trailer were damaged in the fire, El Paso Fire Department officials said. The cause of the fire has not been released. No injuries were reported.

One lane on I-10 East near Copia remains closed as crews continue to clean the area, TxDOT officials said.

Traffic remains backed up to Executive Center Boulevard as of 4:15 p.m., officials said.

The highway was closed for nearly seven hours after a tractor trailer started on fire before 9:45 a.m. Thursday July 25, on I-10 East near Copia Street, El Paso Fire Department officials said.

The fire caused major delays as El Paso's busiest highway was brought to a standstill for most of the day. The traffic issues continued well after the fire was extinguished as TxDOT crews needed to bring a crane to remove the tractor trailer from the highway.

Despite the four lanes being reopened, motorists are still being urged to use alternative routes as the backed-up traffic on the highway begins to move. Motorists are being advised to use the Border West Expressway, which can be reached by Executive Center Boulevard or Spur 1966 from Schuster Avenue, officials said.

"Even when lanes open it will take time for traffic to unsnarl," Texas Department of Transportation officials said in a post on X . "Border West Expressway would be the way to go."

No further information has been released.

Motorcyclist injured in unrelated single-vehicle crash

A person is in serious condition after crashing while driving a motorcycle about 12:40 a.m. Thursday, July 25, on Transmountain Road, El Paso County Sheriff's Office officials said.

The motorcyclist, whose name has not been released, was driving east on Transmountain Road when he crashed. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, officials said.

No further information has been released as deputies continue to investigate the crash. The highway was reopened to traffic early Thursday morning, officials said.

This story will be updated as more information is released.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: EPFD battling tractor trailer fire on I-10, motorcyclist injured in unrelated crash