A driver had a narrow escape at the weekend when her car burst into flames without warning.

The Land Rover Discovery was being driven on the Bittaford to Ivybridge road near the former clay works when a fire started in the engine bay.

Luckily the driver was able to get out of the vehicle unharmed before firefighters from Ivybridge Fire Station arrived on the scene.

Rescuers described the 4x4 as ’well alight’ when they arrived at around 11.30am on Sunday. They got to work to extinguish the blaze using a hose and breathing apparatus. Police were also called to direct traffic.

Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to check the fire was out, and an ’environmental protection pack’ to limit the amount of fuel and oil escaping from the vehicle into a nearby watercourse. The cause of the fire was believed to be accidental.

Writing on Ivybridge Fire Station’s Facebook page the driver offered a ’huge thank you’ to all the emergency services staff that had come to her rescue.