UPDATED: Grass Fire Threatened Buildings, Clogged Traffic Near Eagan

A Tuesday afternoon grass fire in the west ditch along the southbound lane of Interstate 35E north of Interstate 494 slowed traffic as firefighters fought the flames.

Crews responded to the fire south of Wagon Wheel Trail between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. Smoke was slowing traffic and officials eventually closed one of the southbound lanes, creating a traffic headache for the afternoon commute. 

Patch reports some burned areas did encroach on an apartment complex and business office area up the hill from the freeway, but crews knocked it down. 

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A Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic camera showed fire engines at the scene at 3 p.m., and smoke was still visible at that time.

Fire officials haven't yet identified the cause of the fire, but firefighters were required to act quickly to prevent any damage to apartment buildings near the interstate.

"The fire was moving quickly and approaching apartment buildings," Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott said. "Eagan Station Two Crews along with Mendota Heights crews worked together to extinguish the fire."