Tragedy on the San Mateo Bridge

Burnt limo (Mercury News photo)

On the drive back from the Santa Barbara wedding we received a text "WARNING: there's a major fire outbreak on the San Mateo Bridge---do not use." A Northern California wedding party had suffered an "unimaginable" tragedy
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FOSTER CITY -- It was to be one of life's signature moments of happiness, something that always would be remembered, as a stylish evening meant to be richly shared with good friends. Nine women had happily tumbled into a stretch limousine for a girl's night out to celebrate the recent wedding of one.

They were heading for a bridal shower in Foster City Saturday night when, over the span of the San Mateo Bridge just after 10 p.m., sheer joy turned into unimaginable horror.

For reasons that are still unexplained, the interior of the white 1999 Lincoln Town Car suddenly became engulfed in flames, killing five of the women -- including the bride -- who were unable to escape the raging inferno. A veteran coroner was quoted as saying the incident was one of the worst he had ever witnessed. The deceased were so badly burned that positive identifications will require dental records. And grieving friends and family are trying to make sense of the tragedy.

[Update - 5/6: The limo was licensed to carry eight passengers, but there were nine in the party.]

[Update - 5/7: the driver's story. The names of the victims. So far, no word as to the cause.]

[Update - 5/8: "The limousine that burst into flames on the San Mateo Bridge, killing five women, wasn't required to undergo a state safety inspection -- or even carry a fire-extinguisher -- under the regulations that are supposed to ensure the thousands of limos on California's roads are safe."]