A DRIVER made a lucky escape after his BMW caught fire and burst into flames near a roundabout in Bracknell yesterday (Sunday 29). 

The man noticed his car smoking from the dashboard and quickly pulled up on the side of the road, an eyewitness said.

Roger Carter from Hawthorn Hill was driving when he noticed a commotion on Binfield Road, when a woman stopped and blocked traffic.

Bracknell News:

He said: "I stopped about 25 metres away on the edge of the roundabout and got out and checked there was nobody in the car.

"The young lady was quite close to the burning car and I shouted for her to move back because if it was a petrol car, it could have been so serious explosion if the tank went up.

"Around two minutes later, a young man went over to his car. By this point, traffic was jamming up and more people were stopping to watch.

"Fortunately, it had only been the driver but it could have been very bad if young children were strapped in the back."

A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "At 11.56am on Sunday, 29 September, we received reports of a vehicle on fire on Binfield Road, Bracknell.

One Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew from Bracknell was sent to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found one car well alight. The fire was extinguished by a firefighter in breathing apparatus using a hose reel.

The crew was at the scene for approximately 30 minutes."