Vehicle Erupts In Flames During Police Pursuit In Gardena

GARDENA (CBSLA.com) — A vehicle leading a police chase erupted in flames Thursday in Gardena.

California Highway Patrol reports that officers tried to initiate a traffic stop Thursday around 7:45 p.m. in Hawthorne.

Officers reportedly recovered a handgun thrown from the vehicle during the chase.

The driver continued on surface streets into Gardena, where the car caught fire around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Rosecrans and Vermont avenues.

Fire crews quickly doused the flames.

Officials arrested two men, who they say are two known gang members.

They believe the car that caught fire may have been used in another crime.

There were no reported injuries.