A sports car driver has escaped serious injuries after a McLaren burst into flames on a busy Essex road.

Traffic was stopped on the A127 in Southend after the Tesco roundabout this afternoon after fire crews rushed to the car fire.

Drivers at the scene reported a McLaren had burst into flames on the road.

The road was closed, according to Essex Travel News, though traffic has now eased as it appears to have re-opened.

Thankfully, the driver of the sports car was able to escape safely and firefighters extinguished the blaze by 2pm.

An Essex Fire and Rescue spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to vehicle fire on the A127 Southbound, Southend near to the Tesco roundabout at 1.28pm. 

“On arrival, crews reported a car was on fire and worked to extinguish it by 2pm.”

The spokesman added: "The driver was able to escape safely and was unharmed during the incident."