Hwys 3A and 6 closed at Playmore Junction by vehicle engulfed in flame

Andrea Johnson captured this image of a blazing vehicle that shut down two highways Tuesday evening.

Highways 3A and 6 at the Playmore junction between Castlegar and Nelson were closed tonight after a car burst into flame.

Crescent Valley fire chief Glenn Leidloff said the incident was totally unrelated to the storms that plagued the area earlier in the day.

"We got the call at roughly 8 p.m., and we were already at the hall for a ceremony, so our response time was quick," Leidloff said. "But the car was already fully engulfed in flame by the time we arrived."

He some sort of electrical short left the driver smelling smoke, so he pulled over and, sure enough, saw flames coming from the vehicle.

The driver promptly exited the vehicle.

No one was injured, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Leidloff said both highways were closed in both directions for about 20 minutes before the fire was extinguished without incident (roughly between 8:10 and 8:30 p.m.).

The car is complete write-off.

Leidloff commended the public for their cooperation in the highway closures.