Authorities say a driver was uninjured after their vehicle caught on fire and became fully engulfed, causing heavy delays on Interstate 94 in Lake Forest Monday afternoon.
The Lake Forest Fire Department and Illinois State Police responded around 1:45 p.m. Monday to Interstate 94 near mile marker 20 for a report of a vehicle fire.
Fire officials said firefighters arrived and found a Dodge Durango fully engulfed in flames.
The vehicle was on the right shoulder in the southbound lanes of Interstate 94 near Everett Road.
Firefighters initially reported that an explosion occurred after they arrived.
Fire officials said it is believed fire got into the magnesium engine block and caused a firework show-type reaction.
The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and they were able to escape without injury after pulling over.
Two of the four lanes on the interstate were shut down during the incident. Traffic delays were reported for an approximately two-mile stretch from Everett Road to Route 176.
One of the two lanes was reopened after the fire was extinguished as crews remained on the scene for approximately an hour to fully extinguish the fire and investigate, fire officials said.
The Lake Bluff Fire Department responded to the scene to assist the Lake Forest Fire Department.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Lake Forest Fire Department.