UPDATED: BMW Car Fire Shuts Down Majority of Northbound Interstate 215 in Murrieta

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.:

A BMW sedan was destroyed by fire on Interstate 215 in Murrieta Thursday, causing a partial shutdown of the freeway while crews contained the flames.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 1:35 p.m. on the northbound 215 at Clinton Keith Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The agency said the fire started underneath the white BMW, whose driver quickly pulled to the right shoulder and bailed out.

By the time Murrieta fire crews arrived five minutes later, the vehicle was completely engulfed, according to reports from the scene.

CHP and fire department vehicles blocked three of four traffic lanes for safety reasons, leaving only the fast-lane available.

The fire was knocked down within 10 minutes, and the CHP opened an additional lane to ease congestion. A possible cause of the blaze was not released.

As of 2 p.m., two lanes were still closed, but the CHP anticipated re- opening the entire northbound side by 3 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

MURRIETA, CA- Riverside County firefighters are trying to knock down a car fire raging on northbound Interstate 215 at Clinton Keith Road in Murrieta. Three of four traffic lanes are blocked. No injuries have been reported, according to the California Highway Patrol.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for the latest.

– By City News Service.