2 Crashes Involving 8 Vehicles Tie Up Traffic in Mass. Pike's Prudential Tunnel

Two multiple-car crashes caused major traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound inside the Prudential Tunnel on Tuesday afternoon, with one vehicle fully engulfed in flames.

Smoke made its way into Copley Place through air vents, according to the Boston Fire Department. One crash involved six vehicles, the other two vehicles -- firefighters were called about 3:45 p.m.

Lanes were closed near the Copley Ramp and the highway was backed up.

Multi-vehicle crash with fire in #Boston on I-90EB at the Prudential Tunnel. Lanes closed near Copley Ramp. Expect delays in the area.

— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) August 31, 2021

State police added that the left and right lanes were closed in the area of both crashes, and that one vehicle was "fully engulfed" in flames. Boston firefighters were on scene.

The ramp to Copley Square was also closed, state police said. All lanes opened up after nearly two hours.

#MAtraffic Troopers working two separate multi-vehicle crashes Route 90 EB inside the Prudential Tunnel in #Boston. The left and right lanes are closed at the respective locations. One vehicle fully engulfed, @BostonFire on scene. Ramp to Copley Square closed for fire crews.

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) August 31, 2021

At approximately 3:45 pm Companies responded to a car fire in the Prudential Tunnel, smoke from the fire traveled thru the vents into the 1st floor of Copley Place. We also responded to 2 car accidents in the tunnel, 1 involving 2 cars and the other a 6 car accident. pic.twitter.com/xQEVQJ8qvq

— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) August 31, 2021

There is no word yet on whether anyone was injured.

No further information was immediately available.