Car fire snarls traffic on outbound upper-level lanes on George Washington Bridge

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, N.Y. -- A car fire snarled traffic on the outbound upper-level lanes of the George Washington Bridge Tuesday.

At first, the fire forced the closure of all lanes on the upper level, but lanes gradually reopened. All lanes were back to normal by 6 p.m.

Traffic was backed up for more than an hour on the Washington Heights side of the bridge heading toward Fort Lee, N.J.

The lower level remained open during the slowdown.