Labor candidate for Hume was on her way home from the Regional Leaders’ Forum in Goulburn when she saw the car erupt by the side of the northbound lane near Carrick Rd.

Police said the male driver had noticed smoke coming from the BMW’s engine at 11.20pm, pulled over and lifted the bonnet.

Soon after, the vehicle burst into flames but the 60-year-old man was fortunately uninjured.

Passing motorists, including Ms Champion pulled over to help.

“The owner was a lovely man,” she said.

“He seemed reflective as he stood next to me watching his car crackle under flame and told me that the engine had begun catching alight while he was driving.

“About four motorists stopped and one of them warned us to step back in case the flames engulfed the petrol tank.

“Once I ascertained that no one was injured, I hugged the driver and left. The other drivers remained there at this point.”

Police said fire crews took 20 minutes to extinguish the vehicle. Ambulance was not required and traffic flow was unaffected. Police could not say where the man was from.