A tanker carrying 8,700 gallons of gasoline burst into flames on southbound Interstate 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore, sending thick black smoke into the air and backing up traffic for miles.
The fire on the freeway was reported just after 1 p.m. near Nichols Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
No injuries were immediately reported.
ABC 7 in Los Angeles reported crews put out the fire at around 4 p.m.
Northbound lanes were reopened, but several southbound lanes remained closed as of 4:30 p.m.
