A dramatic multi-vehicle collision on a busy Southern California freeway ended with one car engulfed in flames, forcing rescuers to assist victims at the scene as thick smoke and explosions lit up the night sky.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the three-car smash-up at approximately 10:57 p.m. on Wednesday near the interchange of the 405 and 101 freeways in Sherman Oaks. Upon arrival, firefighters found all occupants had already exited their vehicles. One of the cars involved was fully ablaze.

Dramatic video footage from the scene captured a conscious male victim being carefully loaded into an ambulance by emergency personnel. According to the LAFD, one person was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

The burning vehicle produced intense flames, with small explosions erupting periodically as thick black smoke rose high above the freeway, creating a terrifying spectacle for passing drivers. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control and fully extinguished the fire.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials said. Officers from the California Highway Patrol also responded to the incident to assist with traffic control and the ongoing investigation.

Despite the severity of the crash and the subsequent fire, the freeway was reopened to traffic by 11:17 p.m., just 20 minutes after the initial call. However, debris from the wrecked vehicles continued to cause residual delays in the area for some time afterward.

No further details on the identities or conditions of those involved have been released at this time.