SUV burns on busy interstate, no one injured

MADISON, Wis. — A full tank of gas made extinguishing a burning SUV on westbound Interstate 39-90 difficult for firefighters Friday, officials said.

Madison Fire Department spokesperson Cynthia Schuster said crews were called to mile marker 140.2 between the Beltline and the Badger Interchange at 11:27 a.m. for a vehicle fire. Witnesses told a dispatcher that the car was fully engulfed in flames but all the passengers had safely escaped.

The first fire engine to arrive on scene used its entire 500-gallon tank fighting the fire, but a second truck was needed to fully put out the fire, Schuster said.

The owner told officials at the scene he had just purchased the vehicle at a state surplus auction for $1400. He also said he had just filled the gas tank. It was not insured and is considered a total loss, Schuster said.

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