Brush fire along I-485 causes multiple crashes, 20 acres of damage

MINT HILL, N.C. — Crews from multiple departments were working to extinguish a 30-acre brush fire Tuesday afternoon along Interstate 485, which caused multiple car crashes and briefly shut down a section of the highway.

Authorities said drivers slowing to look at the fire led to three separate accidents involving seven vehicles in total. No one was seriously hurt, officials said.

Fire officials said I-485 was shut down between exits 44 and 47 due to the fire and subsequent crashes, but one lane later reopened.

Officials said crews from the Idlewild Volunteer Fire Department, the Mint Hill Fire Department and the Matthews Fire Department responded to the scene.

The North Carolina Forest Service is investigating the cause and the agency does not believe it was suspicious.

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