Drivers travelling along the A-7 between Malaga and the Axarquia faced disruption on Saturday afternoon, October 24, after a motorhome caught fire near Benagalbon.
Dramatic photographs shared on social media show the front of the white motorhome engulfed in towering flames, with thick smoke rising above the vehicle beside the carriageway.
The incident was recorded by Spain’s traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), at 4.59pm. Its traffic alert identified a vehicle fire affecting the A-7 between kilometre points 966 and 967.9, in Malaga province.
Credit: DGT
A-7 traffic disruption near Rincon de la Victoria
The DGT initially classified the incident at yellow service level, indicating traffic disruption. Its alert stated that all lanes were affected.
The location is between the municipalities of Rincon de la Victoria and Velez-Malaga, close to Benagalbon, on a stretch of road used daily by residents travelling between the Axarquia, Malaga city and the western Costa del Sol.
Images from the DGT’s traffic cameras later showed the burned-out remains of the vehicle beside the road, emergency personnel at the scene and queues of traffic building up behind the incident.
Motorists reported delays towards Torre del Mar, although the full extent and duration of the congestion have not been confirmed. The A-7 has seen other unusual incidents, including an earlier lorry fire near Rincon de la Victoria that caused lengthy motorway queues.
What caused the motorhome fire?
The photographs appear to show the fire concentrated around the front of the motorhome, potentially in the engine compartment. However, the cause has not been confirmed, and there is no verified information about whether anybody was injured. The stretch of motorway, with a steep incline, and often rapid changes of gear, has become notorious for engine fires in older vehicles over the years.
Drivers approaching an incident of this kind should slow down, follow instructions from emergency personnel and traffic officers, and leave enough room for emergency vehicles to pass. Anyone encountering stationary traffic should avoid using the hard shoulder to bypass the queue, as it may be needed by emergency services.
Motorists heading between Malaga and the Axarquia should check the DGT’s live traffic updates before setting off, particularly if travelling through Rincon de la Victoria or towards Torre del Mar.
The DGT alert confirmed that the fire was first reported at 4.59pm on Saturday. At the time of the available information, it was not clear when traffic returned to normal or what caused the motorhome to catch fire.