Car Engulfed in Flames on E314 Highway Near Aarschot

A passenger car was completely engulfed in flames on the E314 highway near Aarschot in Flemish Brabant on Sunday evening, causing significant disruption on the major roadway. Dramatic images captured by a fellow motorist show the vehicle ablaze with a thick column of grey smoke visible from a great distance, as reported by Het Laatste Nieuws.

Incident Details

The fire broke out on the E314 in the direction of Leuven, near the city of Aarschot, approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Leuven. Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene to extinguish the blaze and placed warning signage to alert approaching traffic.

According to HLN regional journalist Lara Tytgat, the images were submitted to the news outlet’s 4040 tip line by another driver who witnessed the incident. The photographs, credited to Sam Pieraerts, show the vehicle fully in flames with a grey smoke plume that was visible from afar.

Traffic Disruption

Due to firefighting and vehicle recovery operations, two of the three lanes on the E314 were blocked for several hours. This resulted in a traffic jam forming toward Leuven late on Sunday evening. The roadway was fully cleared and reopened by the end of the night.

No Injuries Reported

Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, no injuries have been reported. The driver managed to stop the vehicle before the fire fully took hold, and all occupants were able to evacuate safely.

Investigation Ongoing

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. While vehicle fires on Belgian highways are not uncommon — particularly during warmer months when engines can overheat — the exact cause of this incident has not yet been determined. Possible factors include mechanical failure or an electrical fault.

What to Watch For

Authorities have not released further details about the make or model of the vehicle involved. Local police and fire services have not issued official statements regarding the incident at this time. The E314 remains a crucial east-west corridor for commuter and freight traffic in the region, connecting Leuven to the Dutch border.