Vehicle fire causes mayhem on state Highway 14

An estimated 50 vehicles traveled the wrong way on an onramp to state Highway 14 on Wednesday afternoon to bypass traffic from an earlier car fire, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Will Finn.

Smoke from the fully engulfed vehicle fire billowed across the highway near Milepost 7 in east Vancouver. Troopers blocked the roadway at 1 p.m. so firefighters could extinguish the fire, and then restricted the westbound highway to one lane.

As traffic started to stack up, about 50 vehicles made a U-turn and went the wrong way on the Southwest 164th Avenue onramp.

Going the wrong direction on a highway, Finn said, “is one of the most dangerous things someone could do on a freeway.”

Troopers stopped seven vehicles and cited the drivers for traveling the wrong way on a highway, which carries a $411 fine, Finn said.

The drivers were then told to turn around and drive the correct way on the highway.

“If you’re caught in traffic, please be patient with us,” Finn said.

The vehicle fire was cleared from the roadway shortly before 2 p.m.