VIDEO: Raging flames engulfed a car on northbound Interstate 15 Thursday night, the fire spreading into brush on the shoulder of the freeway, officials said.
The blaze sparked around 10:45 p.m. on I-15 at Rainbow Valley South in Rainbow, a community approximately 53 miles north of downtown San Diego.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were sent to the scene for what was initially reported as a four-vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they discovered a car burning on the side of the freeway, flames shooting high in the air. Heavy smoke surrounded the scene. Three other motorists had pulled over on I-15 to help.
Officials said the car fire spread into nearby brush. CHP officers shut down all northbound lanes of traffic while firefighters worked to knock down the blaze. Flares lined the freeway, warning motorists of the dangerous situation.