Vehicle Catches Fire on I-84

A car fire on Interstate-84 East at about 2 this afternoon temporarily backed up traffic as heavy smoke came from the engine area and drew good samaritans to the side of the road to help out.

A late-model Jeep Cherokee had to pull over to the shoulder between exits 66 and 67 with its front-end on fire. The family and a small dog were seen standing safely outside of the vehicle.

Traffic began to back up immediately, but that did not stop concerned citizens - including one man in a delivery truck - who helped deflect traffic away from the burning vehicle until State Troopers and firefighters could arrive.

The Jeep was towing a boat in a trailer.

State police later reported that although there was heavy smoke on the roadway, traffic did not stay backed up for long and was flowing freely at 3:30 p.m.

Vernon Fire Chief William Call said firefighters were on the scene at 2:11 p.m. and the fire was out by 2:43 p.m. He said the boat escaped any damage but added the Jeep was a total loss.

Vernon firefighters had to respond to a dumpster fire on Brooklyn Street right after the ar fire.