The fire, which broke out at Km18 of the second Penang bridge heading towards the island, was believed to have been sparked by the impact of the car hitting the battery, said police.

Barat Daya police chief Sazalee Adam said the car battery was left in the middle of the road and that investigations are ongoing.

In the 3.18pm incident, the two occupants of the car managed to get out of the vehicle as the fire started on the front bonnet, a video recording by a passerby showed.

According to the fire and rescue department, about 80% of the vehicle was destroyed.