CREWS rushed to extinguish a vehicle fire at a new Carlisle housing estate.

The BMW 7 series car went up in flames at the Aspen Grange estate in the north of the city, on the corner with Kingstown Road, at about 1.25pm.

A spokesman from Cumbria Fire and Rescue service told the News & Star: “The driver of the car told us the car had a mechanical fault on the motorway, and he pulled in as soon as he could to inspect it.

“Upon opening the bonnet, the car is said to have burst into flames.

“Initially two engines attended, one from Carlisle East and one from Carlisle West, but the west team were later stood down.

“One hose reel jet and breathing apparatus were used to extinguish it.

“Firefighters were on the scene for about 50 minutes.”

Residents were urged to stay away from the area while crews attended.

Eyewitness Stevie Baty from Carlisle said: “Loud bangs started happening before the fire service arrived.

“I thought it might even blow up.”

He added that the car was ‘engulfed with flames from its front end’.

Stevie said: “Fortunately, the fire service turned up with two engines within minutes.

“It was quickly put out by the fire crew.”