This is the moment a car burst into flames on the A-7 on Tuesday afternoon, triggering lengthy traffic jams in both directions.

The vehicle caught fire on the westbound carriageway heading towards Cadiz near El Higueron in Fuengirola.

According to Spain’s traffic authority (DGT), the blaze spread from the car to nearby vegetation beside the motorway.

Numerous witnesses called Andalucia’s 112 emergency service, prompting the deployment of the Guardia Civil’s traffic unit, Policia Nacional, Local Police, firefighters and Infoca wildfire crews.

The incident caused around 6km of congestion on the carriageway towards Cadiz.

Meanwhile, motorists heading towards Malaga also faced delays of up to five kilometres due to the so-called ‘rubbernecking effect’, despite there being no incident on that side of the motorway, according to the DGT.

Traffic has since returned to normal and emergency services have left the scene.

Fortunately, the flames were put out before they could transform into a forest fire.

No injuries have been reported.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.