A car fire on Interstate 295 in Freeport slowed southbound traffic during the evening commute Tuesday.

Freeport Fire Chief Charlie Jordan said the late model Subaru Outback was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived around 5 p.m.

The driver of the Subaru escaped and was not injured. However, the incident caused traffic to back up for several miles from the scene of the fire at the Desert Road exit.

Jordan said Maine State Police assisted firefighters. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.