Prudential Tunnel, Boston, August 29, 2025
News Summary
A car fire erupted in the eastbound lanes of the Massachusetts Turnpike inside the Prudential Tunnel just after 2 p.m., leading to temporary lane closures and significant traffic delays. Boston Fire Department and State Police swiftly responded to extinguish the fire. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation confirmed all lanes were reopened by approximately 2:45 p.m., although heavy traffic backups were reported during the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with no immediate reports of injuries.
Boston
Car fire inside Prudential Tunnel briefly shuts eastbound Massachusetts Turnpike
A car fire in the eastbound lanes of the Massachusetts Turnpike occurred just after 2 p.m. Thursday inside the Prudential Tunnel, prompting a temporary closure of lanes and significant traffic delays. The closure was confirmed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and crews from Boston Fire Department and Massachusetts State Police responded to the scene.
What happened (key facts)
The fire was reported around 2 p.m. on Thursday in the eastbound portion of the turnpike inside the Prudential Tunnel. MassDOT confirmed that traffic was stopped before Exit 133 and that the closure began just after 2 p.m. Visual footage distributed by MassDOT showed thick smoke and visible sparks coming from the burning vehicle.
Lanes were temporarily closed and heavy traffic backups were visible on traffic cameras and reported on traffic maps by about 2:40 p.m. MassDOT later reported that all lanes were reopened by approximately 2:45 p.m., and the closure had ended by roughly 3 p.m.
Response and on-scene actions
Boston firefighters and Massachusetts State Police managed the incident, extinguishing the vehicle fire and securing the area. Traffic control measures were put in place to stop eastbound traffic before Exit 133 while emergency crews worked inside the tunnel.
Traffic management
Traffic was held in the approach to the tunnel to allow safe operations by firefighters and state police. The stoppage and subsequent lane closures created heavy delays during the afternoon period, especially around 2:40 p.m. when backups were most visible on cameras and traffic maps.
Unknowns and safety
At the time the incident was cleared, the cause of the car fire had not been determined and it was not immediately clear whether anyone sustained injuries. Investigations into the origin of the fire were ongoing following the extinguishment and reopening of lanes.
Context and related incidents
This incident follows a similar car fire in the same section of highway last month that shut down traffic for hours. That earlier blaze was attributed to an electric vehicle, and authorities are noting the recurrence of a vehicle fire in this portion of the turnpike as they investigate the current event.
What drivers experienced
Motorists in the area encountered halted traffic, slow-moving queues, and stretches of standstill traffic approaching the closure. Delays were recorded on traffic monitoring systems and were visible on traffic cameras during the afternoon event.
Ongoing items
Authorities will determine the cause of the fire and whether any injuries occurred. MassDOT and partner agencies will continue incident reviews and followup as necessary, including any traffic or safety advisories that may be issued related to the tunnel or the turnpike.
Additional details
Summary of confirmed facts: the incident occurred inside the Prudential Tunnel on the eastbound Massachusetts Turnpike; traffic was stopped before Exit 133; Boston firefighters and Massachusetts State Police responded; thick smoke and sparks were observed; MassDOT confirmed lanes reopened by about 2:45 p.m.; heavy traffic delays were reported around 2:40 p.m.; cause and injuries remained under investigation; a similar incident last month involved an electric vehicle and resulted in extended closures.
FAQ
Was the Prudential Tunnel closed?
Yes. Eastbound lanes inside the Prudential Tunnel were closed just after 2 p.m. while emergency crews managed a vehicle fire. Traffic was stopped before Exit 133 during the response.
How long did the closure last?
The closure began just after 2 p.m. and lanes were reported reopened by about 2:45 p.m. The situation had cleared by roughly 3 p.m.
Were there injuries?
Information about injuries was not immediately available and remained under investigation at the time lanes reopened.
What caused the fire?
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. Authorities were investigating the origin of the blaze following the incident.
Has this happened before in the same area?
A similar car fire occurred last month in the same section of highway and shut down traffic for hours; that earlier fire was attributed to an electric vehicle.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Eastbound Massachusetts Turnpike inside the Prudential Tunnel |
| Reported time | Around 2:00 p.m. on Thursday |
| Closure start | Just after 2:00 p.m.; traffic stopped before Exit 133 |
| Lanes reopened | All lanes reported reopened by about 2:45 p.m.; closure ended around 3:00 p.m. |
| Responding agencies | Boston Fire Department and Massachusetts State Police; MassDOT confirmed closure and reopening |
| Traffic impact | Heavy delays and backups visible on traffic cameras and maps, notably around 2:40 p.m. |
| Cause | Under investigation; not immediately clear |
| Injuries | Not immediately known; under investigation |
| Related incident | Similar car fire last month in same area attributed to an electric vehicle, which caused extended closures |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: Massachusetts Turnpike
- WCVB
- Google Search: Prudential Tunnel fire
- WHDH
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
- CBS News
- Google News: Boston car fire 2025
- Boston 25 News
- Google Scholar: Car fires in tunnels
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