I had just dropped off my daughters at school. On my drive back home, this trip is roughly an 8 mile round trip distance . I heard (then saw) an explosion coming from the rear passenger side of the car. I noticed flames and proceeded to steer the car (car shutdown) towards a side street. Shortly after I was able to put car in park, making sure that it was out of any potential danger to others. I quickly jumped out of my car. This followed by a loss of fluids under the hood and smoke. After everything subsided I called a tow truck and had it towed to my home. It has been parked outside and I am so discombobulated about this whole incident that I do not know how/where to even began with the next step. I have no clue how this happened but what I do know is that by no means should a vehicle ever create a fire .