Ortega Highway Car Fire Disrupts Traffic

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A car caught fire Wednesday on the Ortega (74) Highway just west of Lake Elsinore, causing major damage to the sedan and disrupting traffic on the two-lane corridor, but no injuries were reported.

The blaze was reported about 4:45 p.m. on the eastbound side of the highway near Tenaja Truck Trail, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver managed to pull onto the shoulder as flames erupted underneath his car and safely exited the vehicle, the CHP reported.

Traffic was impacted by the fire as drivers slowed and maneuvered to go around the car, according to reports from the scene.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department personnel reached the location about 20 minutes later and quickly contained the blaze.

No other vehicles were involved.

As of 5:10 p.m., CHP officers were working to have the car removed from the location.