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A long stretch of Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin was closed in both directions for more than 12 hours Thursday, following a series of crashes involving dozens of vehicles — some which caught fire — early in the morning. 

The Wisconsin State Patrol reported at 8:30 p.m. Thursday that one lane in each direction had reopened to traffic.

The Patrol said the crashes south of Osseo, about 20 miles southeast of Eau Claire, happened Thursday morning as freezing rain fell in the area.

Authorities responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash near mile marker 96 at about 5:45 a.m. and found a semi "in the median on fire with two passenger vehicles underneath," the Patrol reported in a mid-morning update. "Several secondary crashes and run-offs occurred in the general vicinity."

The Patrol said there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

Photos shared by the Patrol, showing parts of the crash scene after sunrise, showed a number of semis and trailers mangled and blocking the freeway and at least two burned-out vehicles. 

Authorities said passengers of vehicles involved in the crash were transported by bus to a safe location.

In an update Thursday afternoon, the Patrol said towing companies were working to remove wrecked vehicles, and the Patrol's crash reconstruction unit had photographed and mapped the crash scene.

Wisconsin's 511 page

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A long stretch of Interstate 94 in western Wisconsin was closed in both directions for more than 12 hours Thursday, following a series of crashes involving dozens of vehicles. The State Patrol reported Thursday night that one lane in each direction had reopened to traffic.

Stretch of I-94 in western Wisconsin reopens after lengthy closure due to crash

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