Car fire shuts down Route 14 in Cary, teen driver uninjured

Route 14 was closed during the Monday afternoon and evening rush in Cary after a car caught fire.

The Cary Fire Protection District was called out to the intersection of Cary Algonquin Road and Northwest Highway for a reported vehicle crash about 4 p.m. Monday, Cary Fire Protection District public information officer Alex Vucha said.

Firefighters instead found a two-door sedan, located in the median just east of the intersection with heavy fire coming from the engine department, Vucha said.

A male teenager driving the sedan was able to get out before the fire spread and was not hurt, Vucha said.

Fire crews quickly deployed a hose line and were able to contain the fire to the engine.

Route 14 was closed in both directions for almost two hours as crews worked to make sure the area was safe and clear, Vucha said.

Crews requested salt trucks to come to the scene to treat slick road conditions. The roadway quickly iced over because of the firefighting efforts and air temperatures in the teens.

Despite firefighters keeping the fire to just the engine, the car was a total loss, Vucha said.