Car ignites into flames on Auckland motorway causing thick smoke, queues of traffic

A car has burst into flames on a busy Auckland motorway, forcing the closure of an off-ramp.

Traffic backed up on State Highway 20 near Hillsborough after the car caught fire early on Thursday afternoon, and NZTA advised motorists to expect reduced visibility in the area.

"A car fire has closed the northbound Queenstown Rd off-ramp. Pass the scene with care and expect delays as emergency services work to clear the incident as quickly as possible," NZTA said on Twitter.

A video supplied to Newshub shows two fire engines at the scene with thick, black smoke billowing into the air. Firefighters are seen working to extinguish the flames.

Car ignites into flames on Auckland motorway causing thick smoke, queues of traffic
Photo credit: Supplied / Newshub

Traffic in the northbound lanes are directed to the outside lane, which is the farthest distance from the car and traffic is queued up.

All lanes had reopened by 2:20pm but drivers were told to continue to expect delays as traffic eases.