Route 283 Reopens After Fiery Multi-Vehicle Crash in Lancaster County

SALUNGA-LANDISVILLE, Pa. — A fiery multi-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles shut down Route 283 West in East Hempfield Township for over three hours on Wednesday afternoon, according to Lancaster County dispatchers and PennDOT officials.

The incident occurred near the Landisville exit shortly after 3:30 p.m., with one vehicle catching fire at the scene. Emergency crews quickly extinguished the blaze, and one person was transported to a local hospital. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.

PennDOT spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler explained that the freezing temperatures added complexity to the cleanup. “PennDOT was called out not because of road conditions — because the road conditions were clear and dry in that area — they were called out because, obviously, water had to be used to put out the fire, and that froze pretty much on impact on the road,” Schreffler said. Crews worked to plow and treat the icy road surface caused by the firefighting efforts.

Traffic was completely stopped on the westbound lanes between Spooky Nook Road and PA-722 as crews cleared debris and salted the road. The highway fully reopened by 7 p.m., restoring normal traffic flow.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether hazardous materials were involved, though Schreffler noted that diesel fuel and other vehicle fluids likely spilled onto the roadway during the incident.

PennDOT cameras captured a column of smoke rising from the scene, and drivers reported significant delays during the closure. Despite the dramatic visuals, officials emphasized that the response was swift and effective, with no major injuries reported.