DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT 40 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY FLAMES ERUPTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A BYSTANDER ALERTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THERE WAS MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE AND ENGINE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.