A three-vehicle wreck on Interstate 215 in Riverside Monday triggered a fire that consumed a car and prompted lane closures in heavy traffic.
The crash occurred about 3:50 p.m. on southbound I-215 near Central Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency said that a Hyundai, a Toyota Prius and another sedan impacted in the middle of the freeway. The Prius caught fire in the No. 3 lane, though the occupants escaped unscathed, the CHP said.
Riverside Fire Department crews reached the location within minutes, dousing the flames shortly after 4 p.m.
None of the parties involved required hospitalization.
CHP officers shut down three of five southbound lanes due to the fire and wreckage. A SigAlert was issued at 4 p.m. because of the ensuing traffic crunch in the middle of rush hour on the heavily traveled interstate.
The lane closures were still in effect as of 4:30 p.m. Tow trucks were called to remove the burned-out car and another vehicle.