BASS LAKE — A rare Lotus sports car burst into flames this afternoon, temporarily halting traffic on Beasore Road.
The incident occurred Thursday at about 1:40 p.m.
According to initial reports, a 60-year-old Oakhurst man was driving northbound on Beasore at McCloud when he noticed smoke coming out from under the hood of his 1984 Lotus Turbo.
The driver stated that he thought an oil leak had spilled on to the engine manifold, sparking the fire.
The man escaped without injury but the car was a total loss.
CHP, Madera County Sheriff’s Office and an engine from the North Fork U.S. Forest Service all responded to the fire.
Beasore Road was temporarily closed for about 20 minutes to traffic in both directions while the fire scene was cleaned up.
No drugs or alcohol were reportedly involved in the incident.
Fortunately, the car fire was extinguished before flames could reach a heavily vegetated area about 20 feet from the scorched vehicle.
