Vehicle Catches Fire Near LAX

A vehicle caught fire late Friday afternoon in the Sepulveda Boulevard tunnel near Los Angeles International Airport, snarling traffic in both directions.

The blaze was reported at 4:33 p.m. in the 11000 block of Sepulveda Boulevard, according to Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"This compounds the heavy traffic normally experienced through the Sepulveda Tunnel during Friday evening rush hours," airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said.

The vehicle was removed by 5:30 p.m. and the lanes reopened, but airport authorities still warned of lingering congestion in the tunnel.

No injuries were reported in the vehicle fire, Scott said.