I-5 Car Fire Slows Traffic In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, CA — A car fire on the San Diego (5) Freeway sent sent black smoke billowing into the air and jammed up traffic in the Oceanside area Tuesday afternoon.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a Prius caught fire shortly before 2 p.m. on the northbound side of the freeway just north of Mission Road. With the engine fully engulfed in flames, the car stopped on the right shoulder, and an off-duty police officer stopped to render aid.

The vehicle's occupants tried to contain the blaze with a fire extinguisher.

However, traffic in the area remains backed up.