A brush fire spread to and set ablaze vehicles that began exploding at a CarMax lot in south Bakersfield, according to the California Highway Patrol.The fire, reported at 1:30 p.m., traveled from the right hand shoulder of Highway 99 into the car lot on Colony Street, officers said. Fire officials said 85 vehicles were damaged or destroyed.CarMax was evacuated as fire crews fought the blaze.Traffic has slowed in the area, with motorists reporting smoke drifting into traffic lanes, the CHP said.The CHP said a big rig dragging a chain may have sparked the blaze.

A brush fire spread to and set ablaze vehicles that began exploding at a CarMax lot in south Bakersfield, according to the California Highway Patrol.



The fire, reported at 1:30 p.m., traveled from the right hand shoulder of Highway 99 into the car lot on Colony Street, officers said. Fire officials said 85 vehicles were damaged or destroyed.


CarMax was evacuated as fire crews fought the blaze.

Traffic has slowed in the area, with motorists reporting smoke drifting into traffic lanes, the CHP said.

The CHP said a big rig dragging a chain may have sparked the blaze.