CITIZEN REPORTER: Car Fire Ignites Following Trip To Mechanic

A car caught fire in Lake Elsinore Saturday but all occupants escaped injury, according to a citizen reporter.

The blaze was reported at the corner of Clement Street and Lakeshore Drive, next to the Circle K at about 12:30 p.m., according to an email from a citizen reporter.

“I was three cars behind when the other vehicle suddenly caught fire,” the citizen reporter emailed. “Thankfully, the occupants were able to escape unharmed, though understandably shaken.

“After I called 911, the occupants told me that they had just picked their car up from a mechanic when they heard a ‘pop’ then suddenly the car was filling with smoke and flames were coming out from underneath the hood,” the citizen reporter continued.

The driver didn’t crash into anything, but the car did end up part way on a sidewalk because of poor visibility caused by smoke, the citizen reporter said.