It was supposed to be a fun-filled Saturday night out for newlywed bride Neriza Fojas, a 31-year-old registered nurse from Fresno and her friends but it ended in tragedy. A stretch limousine carrying the 9 female passengers suddenly burst into flames at the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in San Francisco Bay killing 5 passengers, including the newlywed, and injuring 4 women during the 90-second fire.

Orville Brown, the 46-year-old limo driver, revealed that he was taking the group of friends to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. According to Rosalyn Bersamin, Neriza Fojas' sister, the group was headed to a party at the hotel where Neriza Fojas' husband was waiting for them to arrive.

"It's something you never imagine will happen. It's a limousine ride. It's supposed to be a joyous thing. I figured with all that fire that they were gone, man. There were just so many flames. Within maybe 90 seconds, the car was fully engulfed," limo driver Orville Brown stated.

California Highway Patrol Officer James Evans declared that the cause of the limo fire is still unidentified. However, investigators and the San Mateo Fire Department are working hard in determining why the stretch limo suddenly caught fire while the California Highway Patrol and coroner's office investigates if the limo fire was a criminal case.

Medical examiners will reportedly identify the victims with the use of dental records. Autopsies will be conducted thoroughly as well including toxicology tests to determine if accelerants such as alcohol or gasoline were present on the bodies.

The California Highway Patrol revealed that the four injured women who survived the limo fire are currently being treated at the nearby hospitals for burns and smoke inhalation. The injured women were identified as 42-year-old Mary G. Guardiano of Alameda, 34-year-old Jasmine Desguia of San Jose, 36-year-old Nelia Arrellano of Oakland and 48-year-old Amalia Loyola of San Leandro.

"Ms Desguia and Ms Loyola were listed in critical condition," Joy Alexiou, a spokeswoman for Valley Medical Center, confirmed.

"Limo Stop" offers traveling services in limousines, vans and SUVS. The company has issued a statement regarding the tragic incident and it reads: "We will do everything possible to investigate and assist authorities in determining the cause of this fire in order to bring forth answers and provide closure to the victims and their families."

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