Car fire in Caldecott Tunnel causes traffic nightmare for East Bay commuters

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A car fire in the Caldecott Tunnel on Wednesday forced crews to close the eastbound direction of Highway 24, causing significant traffic delays.

Oakland Fire says the fire was first reported just before 4 p.m., about 400 feet into Bore 1.

SKY7 video showed smoke pouring out of the tunnel as fire crews arrived on scene and worked quickly to put out the flames.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of that car and the passenger were picked up and driven out the tunnel by a passing motorist and neither were injured.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire around 4:55 p.m. and opened up Bore 2 shortly after.

Bore 1 didn't reopen until just after 7 p.m.

Two people who were inside the car that burned managed to get out safely.

Caltrans is working to improve ventilation in the tunnels to clear out smoke much faster. Construction could start next year.