Fire on A1 sound barrier causes severe traffic disruption

A fire along the A1 motorway near St. Florian in the Linz-Land district caused a major emergency response and severe traffic disruption on Sunday evening, ORF reported. A sound barrier and about 200 square metres of agricultural land were fully engulfed in flames, according to police.

Motorists spotted the fire at about 7 p.m. on the carriageway towards Vienna. Volunteer fire brigades from Ebelsberg, Rohrbach and St. Florian, along with Linz’s professional fire brigade, were called to the scene.

When firefighters arrived, part of the sound barrier beside a field was already burning. Rohrbach firefighters tackled the blaze from the motorway side, while the Ebelsberg crew accessed the rear of the fire through a door in the barrier.

Working in breathing apparatus, the Ebelsberg brigade used two C hoses and laid about 100 metres of hose. Firefighters then extensively watered the affected area to extinguish any remaining embers.

The Ebelsberg brigade deployed three vehicles and 15 personnel for about 90 minutes. Shortly after leaving, crews were called back because smoke had developed again at the scene. The renewed fire was quickly extinguished by the Rohrbach brigade, and no further intervention by Ebelsberg was needed.

Police said the operation caused significant traffic jams on the A1. The cause of the fire remains unclear and is under investigation.