Fire crews from Ashby and Coalville were called out to a car fire on the A42 yesterday afternoon (Saturday).

The vehicle was completely destroyed in the incident - which was caused by a fault in the engine compartment.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service released details of the fire which happened between junctions 11 and 12 near Ashby just before 4pm.

They said: "Initial Emergency Call Received: 15:53

"Fire and Rescue Service Vehicles Attended: one fire engine from Coalville and one fire engine from Ashby

"Time Incident Closed: 17:00

"Damage: Car destroyed by fire

"Believed Cause: Accidental - fault in engine compartment

"Several calls reporting a vehicle on fire.

"On arrival Incident Commander confirmed one car heavily involved in fire, two hose reels and two breathing apparatus wearers extinguishing the fire."

Highways England reported that the blaze caused congestion which resulted in a tailback of over three miles.

They tweeted: "The #A42 northbound #J11 (#A444 #BurtonuponTrent #Measham) to #J12 (#B4416 #Snarestone #Ashby) traffic has been temporarily STOPPED due to a car fire.

"There are currently 3.2 miles of congestion on the approach to the incident."

The route was later re-opened, but evidence of the fire was still visible on the road surface.