Five killed in fire on Mateo Bridge in San Francisco

Four others were injured in the blaze, late last night

Five women have died after a limousine caught fire on a bridge near San Francisco. Four others were injured.

Only the driver escaped unhurt.

The fire was reported around 10pm last night local time. The car had stopped on the San Mateo bridge, 20 miles south-east of the city, a US police spokesman said.

The limo was carrying nine female passengers and a male driver when it caught fire on the bridge. When smoke began to pour from the back, the driver quickly pulled over but fire spread rapidly.

The victims, said to be in their 30s, were trapped in the back as flames engulfed the vehicle.

Four women managed to get out but one had severe burns while the others suffered minor injuries including smoke inhalation, according to local broadcaster KTVU. They were taken to local hospitals.

No other vehicle appears to have been involved in the incident and police are still trying to determine the cause.

California Highway Patrol officer Amelia Jack told KGO-TV: "We have no idea right now where they were going or where they were coming from."