A busy road was closed in Blackburn following a major car fire.

Emergency services could be seen tackling the car fire on St James’s Road in the Bastwell area of the town on Monday (July 24).

Large plumes of smoke could be seen across the neighbourhood and, as one fire crew approached the vehicle, it exploded sending people who had stopped to watch running for cover.

The road was closed in both directions by police as fire teams tackled the blaze. The vehicle was on fire in the middle of the road close to a number of parked cars.

It is not clear at this stage how the fire started.

Residents had come out of their houses and traffic was stopped at the junction with Whalley New Road on approach to the incident.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Spokesperson said: "One fire engine attended an incident at 9.11pm on the 24 July on St James’ Road, Blackburn.

"Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire. Crews were in attendance for 30 minutes."