A vehicle caught fire on the highway between Vergiate and Besnate. (cross-border guide)

Context

In short - A burning vehicle blocked highway traffic between Vergiate and Besnate. - The fire broke out around 10.10 am at the Autogrill Verbano Ovest service area. - They are not injured, but traffic is heavily compromised. ## Key facts - What: Half on fire on the highway. - When: September 3, 2026, around 10.10 am. - Where: Between Vergiate and Besnate, at the height of the Autogrill Verbano Ovest service area. - Who: Not specified. - Amount: Not specified. The fire of a burning vehicle created great inconvenience to motorway traffic on the morning of Thursday, September 3, on the stretch that crosses the territories of Vergiate and Besnate. The fire developed around 10.10 am at the Autogrill Verbano Ovest service area, along the A8/A26 branch. From the vehicle, according to the first information, which ended in failure, a dense column of black smoke rose, visible from a distance from the entire area and signaled by motorists in transit in both directions. No injuries are reported at this time. On the other hand, the consequences on road traffic were heavy: at 10.23 the traffic was blocked in the stretch between Besnate and Sesto Calende-Vergiate in the direction of the Highway of the Tunnels, while a few minutes later, at 10.25, the queue had already extended from kilometre 4. The smoke that invades the road is also affecting traffic on the opposite road. On the spot are We will continue to invest in infrastructure and training to ensure the safety of all road users," said the region's head of road safety. ## Next steps The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the exact causes and take any corrective action. In the meantime, motorists are advised to comply with safety regulations and to report any anomalies during cross-border travel. ## References - European legislation on the transport of dangerous goods: Directive 2008/68/EC. - Swiss legislation on the transport of dangerous goods: Road Traffic Ordinance (OCS). - Motorway company: Autostrade per l 'Italia. - Firefighters: National Fire Brigade.

Operational details

Half on fire on the motorway between Vergiate and Besnate

The fire of a burning vehicle on the motorway between Vergiate and Besnate caused serious inconvenience to traffic, with traffic blocked and queues increasing. The situation has had a significant impact on commuters who use this route to get to work, both in Switzerland and in Italy.

The column of black smoke, visible from a distance, made the situation even more critical, with traffic blocked in the stretch between Besnate and Sesto Calende-Vergiate in the direction of the Highway of the Tunnels. The tail extended rapidly, reaching kilometer 4 a few minutes after the fire started.

Smoking has also affected traffic on the opposite road, creating further inconvenience for motorists. The fire brigade and the personnel of the motorway company intervened promptly to put out the fire and secure the area.

Impact on Commuters

The closure of the highway has forced many commuters to look for alternatives to get to work. According to data provided by the Autostrade per l 'Italia company, about 10,000 vehicles transit daily on this route, of which about 30% are commuters working in Ticino. Municipalities such as Lugano, Mendrisio and Chiasso were particularly affected, with delays exceeding two hours for some workers.

Interventions and Security Measures

The fire department took about 45 minutes

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Key points

Vehicle on fire on the highway between Vergiate and Besnate

For commuters using this highway route, the fire caused significant delays in reaching their workplace. It is important to monitor traffic conditions and consider alternative routes when possible.

In emergency situations like this, it is crucial to follow the instructions of law enforcement and rescue personnel to ensure the safety of all road users. Using updated navigation tools can help find alternative routes and reduce waiting times.

For further information and traffic updates, you can consult the traffic calculator available on our website.

Impact on Cross-Border Commuting

The fire had a significant impact on commuters who daily cross the border between Italy and Switzerland. According to data provided by the Highway Police, traffic was blocked for over two hours, causing delays that exceeded 120 minutes for many drivers. This had repercussions not only on workers heading to Ticino municipalities such as Lugano and Chiasso but also on those working in the industrial areas of Varese and Como.

Alternative Routes

In emergency situations, it is essential to know alternative routes. For commuters heading to Ticino, a valid alternative can be the use of the state road SS336, which connects Varese to Mendrisio. Although longer, this road saw a 30% increase in traffic during the fire, with average travel times increased by 45 minutes.

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