Car bursts into flames on Norwegian highway during Easter holiday

A family’s Easter trip to their cabin turned into a dramatic escape when their car suddenly caught fire on the E16 highway near Bagn, Dagbladet reports.

Thomas Sandlie Magnus, his wife, and their two-year-old son were driving to Valdres on Thursday when their 2023 Kia EV6 abruptly stopped. “There was just a puff or a bang, and the car came to a complete halt,” Magnus told the newspaper. Initially suspecting a flat tire or collision with an animal, he soon realised the vehicle was on fire after smoke began pouring from the rear.

The family exited the car as flames spread, assisted by passing motorists who stopped to help. Emergency services arrived quickly, with firefighters instructing Magnus to livestream the blaze to assess the situation. “I could see a small flame under the car. Once they closed the second lane, it really caught fire,” he said.

No one was seriously injured, though Magnus inhaled smoke while clearing the vehicle and was later checked at a medical centre. The car, which had recently undergone servicing—including a new starter battery—was declared a total loss, with its rear end melted beyond recognition.

Despite the ordeal, the family reached their cabin later that evening, thanks to a rental car arranged by a towing company. Magnus praised the swift response from police, firefighters, and fellow drivers, noting the absence of frustration from other motorists despite the hour-long road closure.

“In the end, it’s just a car,” he said. “The most important thing is that we’re all safe.”