AUSTIN (KXAN) — A box truck caught fire Tuesday on South MoPac Expressway near Barton Creek Mall, the Austin Fire Department said. The flames spread and caused a grass fire.

AFD said the fire was under control around 2:15 p.m., but traffic was still backed up for miles, and the southbound lanes of MoPac were closed before Loop 360 until around 4 p.m. Traffic was being detoured to the frontage road at the Loop 360 exit while the smoke cleared from the scene.

As of 4:30 p.m., KXAN crews still reported traffic backups in the area and on surrounding roads.

AFD said it was called to 2100 South MoPac just after 1:30 p.m. When crews arrived, they found a box truck fully involved. It was parked on the shoulder of the highway.

  • Lane closures on MoPac southbound near Loop 360 due to box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
    Lane closures on MoPac southbound near Loop 360 due to box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
  • Traffic along MoPac near Barton Creek Mall after box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
    Traffic along MoPac near Barton Creek Mall after box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
  • Traffic along MoPac near Barton Creek Mall after box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
    Traffic along MoPac near Barton Creek Mall after box truck/grass fire (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)

Austin Fire asked people to watch for first responders who were working in the roadway. At around 3 p.m., our crews on scene watched as a tow truck worked to remove the box truck that caught fire from the road.