Classic car burns on highway near Petaluma

A classic car blew a tire and sparked a grass fire that snarled traffic near Petaluma Saturday evening.

A Santa Rosa man was driving on Highway 101 just north of town around 6 p.m. when the right front tire of his 1967 Chevy Impala low rider blew out, causing him to lose control, Rancho Adobe Fire Chief Mike Weihman said.

The recently restored car left the road and sparked a grass fire that consumed about a quarter acre of pasture and most of the car, Weihman said.

The fire was likely sparked by the rim gouging the asphalt.

The man and his female passenger were unharmed.

One lane of Highway 101 was closed while firefighters put out the fire, with traffic backups in each direction due to the spectacle, Weihman said.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.