WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY MY ENGINE SHUT ITSELF OFF AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE/STEAM COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY CAR. I PULLED MY CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED IT. I OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS BUT WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY SEE THE ISSUE. THERE WAS A LOT OF STEAM/SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO CALL AAA FOR A TOW AND WHILE ON THE PHONE I NOTICED AN ORANGE GLOW FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY HUNG UP AND CALLED 911. THEN GOT ALL MY BELONGINGS OUT OF THE CAR AND AT THIS POINT THE FIRE HAD ENGULFED THE FRONT OF THE CAR. CHP AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.*DT*JB