A vegetation fire that started along the 99 freeway in Bakersfield, California Monday spread into a car lot and damaged or destroyed 86 cars.
A preliminary investigation is centered on a truck that was dragging a chain, creating sparks that ignited grass adjacent to the highway in spots scattered along a four-mile stretch.
The cars were in the CarMax lot at 6801 Colony Street. An information officer from the Bakersfield Fire Department said 26 cars were totaled and another 60 were damaged. The estimated monetary loss is $2.1 million.
CAL FIRE frequently reminds the public about the danger of dragging chains.
