Sarasota car fire blocks I-75 during Friday rush hour

SARASOTA -- A 44-year-old Sarasota man driving 2002 Hyundai southbound on Interstate 75 near the 212 mile marker escaped unhurt from a vehicle fire at 4:55 p.m. Friday during rush hour, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

The driver smelled gas fumes and pulled over onto the right shoulder as smoke was billowing from the hood area. He called 911.

The southbound lanes of State Road 93 were temporarily closed to allow the Sarasota County Fire Department to extinguish the fire. The lanes have reopened.

No charges or injuries were reported.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sarasota car fire blocks I-75 during Friday rush hour ."