Malappuram (Keralam) | A moving car was completely gutted after it caught fire on the national highway at Vettichira near Puthanathani here on Friday, officials said.

Fire and Rescue Service officials said the incident occurred at Chungam, near Vettichira, when the car was travelling along the national highway in the morning.

The driver and other occupants noticed smoke billowing from the vehicle and got out in time, avoiding a major accident.

All the occupants escaped unhurt, officials said.

Soon, fire tenders rushed to the spot and started a fire-dousing operation. The car was destroyed in the fire.

Officials said that people in the car complained that the cash and documents kept inside the vehicle were also gutted in the blaze.

The car was travelling from Kannur to Ernakulam when the incident occurred.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, officials added.