WAS GOING TO DINNER WITH MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER.AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 1 MILE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE HOOD AREA.DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC HUSBAND DID A U-TURN IN THE STREET AND QUICKLY STOPPED CAR. BEFORE STOPPING HUSBAND LOST EVERYTHING BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE RAN FROM CAR TRIED TO OPEN HOOD ENGINE COMPLETLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED.DURING THE SEEING OF SMOKE THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO GAUGES,EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. THIS ENGINE HAD ONLY 20,990 MILES ON IT.INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR.*AK