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Transportation
MPR News Staff

Stretch of I-94 in western Wisconsin reopens after lengthy closure due to crash

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Crews work to clear the scene of a crash
Crews work to clear the scene of a crash involving several dozen vehicles -- including several semis -- along Interstate 94 near Osseo, Wis., on Thursday. The crash happened as freezing rain fell in the area.
Wisconsin State Patrol

Updated: 8:45 p.m.

A long stretch of Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin was closed in both directions for more than 12 hours Thursday, following a series of crashes involving dozens of vehicles — some which caught fire — early in the morning.

The Wisconsin State Patrol reported at 8:30 p.m. Thursday that one lane in each direction had reopened to traffic.

The Patrol said the crashes south of Osseo, about 20 miles southeast of Eau Claire, happened Thursday morning as freezing rain fell in the area.

Crews work to clear the scene of a crash
Crews work to clear the scene of a crash along Interstate 94 near Osseo, Wis., on Thursday. The crash closed the interstate for much of the day.
Wisconsin State Patrol

Authorities responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash near mile marker 96 at about 5:45 a.m. and found a semi "in the median on fire with two passenger vehicles underneath," the Patrol reported in a mid-morning update. "Several secondary crashes and run-offs occurred in the general vicinity."

The Patrol said there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

Photos shared by the Patrol, showing parts of the crash scene after sunrise, showed a number of semis and trailers mangled and blocking the freeway and at least two burned-out vehicles.

Semi trucks crashed along a freeway
A crash along Interstate 94 near Osseo in western Wisconsin early on Thursday involved multiple semis along with other vehicles.
Wisconsin State Patrol

Authorities said passengers of vehicles involved in the crash were transported by bus to a safe location.

In an update Thursday afternoon, the Patrol said towing companies were working to remove wrecked vehicles, and the Patrol's crash reconstruction unit had photographed and mapped the crash scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.