PHOTO PROVIDED

Motorist Matthew Lantz, of Williamsport, safely escaped his burning Pontiac Firebird just moments before the car turned into a ball of fire in the westbound lanes of Interstate 180, near the Basin Street interchange about 11:20 a.m. Thursday, city fire officials said. Lantz pulled over and stopped after smoke started coming from underneath the vehicle. Heavy, thick black smoke covered much of the interstate and even across the river to South Williamsport, causing quite a spectacular site. The fire was believed to have been caused by a mechanical failure, city fire officials said.