A newly-married bride and four friends were killed in a limousine while traveling to a bachelorette party. According to Fox News, the stretch limo burst into flames on a Northern California bridge.
Of the nine female passengers inside of the limo, four women escaped with only minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle escaped unharmed. The survivors are being treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
The cause of the fire is unknown but ABC News reports that the fire started at the back of the limousine before quickly spreading to the front.
"It does not appear that it [the limo] was involved in a collision, so it just appears that it was a vehicle fire," said Art Montiel, a California Highway Patrol officer.
Officer Amelia Jack expressed to ABC News that other drivers stopped to help the trapped women.
"The driver was able to get out, some good Samaritans did stop and assist and try and pull people from the fire," said Jack. "We have no idea what actually happened yet, everything as I said is still under investigation."
The bride planned to celebrate with her friends before she returned to her birthplace, the Philippines. A second wedding ceremony was scheduled there, the bride's sister told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The victims were found huddled near the partition trying to escape. "My guess would be they were trying to get away from the fire and use that window opening as an escape route," said Robert Foucrault, a San Mateo County Coroner.
The limo company, Limo Stop, has issued a statement saying it "will do everything possible to investigate and assist authorities in determining the cause of this fire in order to bring forth answers and provide closure to (the) victims and their families."
