A car caught fire on the Central Expressway (CTE) yesterday afternoon, causing a traffic jam that lasted nearly two hours.

The congestion stretched all the way to Ang Mo Kio at one point as firefighters rushed to put out the blaze, which occurred near the Balestier Road exit in the direction of the Ayer Rajah Expressway.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Land Transport Authority provided frequent updates on its traffic news Twitter account, warning motorists to avoid up to three lanes on the expressway in the southbound direction.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire, which involved the car's engine, at around 1pm.

"A fire engine and two red rhinos were deployed and the blaze was swiftly put out using a water jet," said an SCDF spokesman.

Photos posted on social media showed SCDF personnel attempting to put out the flames, which had engulfed the front portion of the red BMW sedan.

Twitter user @daetaeman put up a short video clip of the fire, which was taken from a car travelling in the opposite direction.

Civil servant Farhan Hamid, who was on his way to a wedding in Orchard Road, told The Straits Times he was stuck in the resulting jam for more than half an hour.

"Three lanes on the expressway were closed off," the 29-year-old said.