A CAR has been nearly completely burnt out after catching fire and reportedly exploding in the early hours of the morning.

The fire happened near the garages on Cleaver Road, South Ham, at around 4am this morning, Tuesday, October 22.

One resident told the Gazette that she heard a "big explosion."

She said: "There was a car fire today followed by a big explosion at 4am. This happened on Cleaver Road.

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The burnt out car in Cleaver RoadThe burnt-out car in Cleaver Road (Image: Contributed)

"Shortly after fire brigade came and took it out. Lots of damage."

A crew of firefighters from Basingstoke attended the scene and successfully extinguished the fire using a reel, before returning back to the fire station at 5am.

The fire brigade said the car suffered around 75 per cent damage.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service told the Gazette: "A Basingstoke crew was alerted to a car fire on Cleaver Road at 4am this morning.

"Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a reel to extinguish the vehicle which suffered around 75 per cent damage.

"HIWFRS left the scene and returned to station shortly after 5am."