A SECTION of dual carriageway between Keighley and Silsden was partially closed on Friday night as firefighters tackled a car blaze.

One crew from Keighley fire station was called out at 8.45pm to deal with the burning Mercedes C200, on the westbound carriageway of the Aire Valley trunk road near the Steeton/Silsden roundabout.

Police also attended.

The firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze, which had started in the engine compartment of the car.

They were at the scene for more than an hour and one lane of the carriageway was shut while they dealt with the incident.

Crew commander Dom Creed, of Keighley fire station, said: "The vehicle was well alight when we arrived.

"There was no sign of the driver.

"The circumstances of the fire aren't currently known.

"Extensive damage was caused to the vehicle."

Judy Probst, Skipton town ambassador, was on her way back from an evening out with husband, Phil, when they came across the fire. They saw there was no one in the car, and called 999.

The smoke was very dense, said Mrs Probst who paid tribute to the swift actions of the fire fighters in putting the fire out.