A car that caught fire in Sliema early this afternoon led to a huge traffic jam in the area, with congestion going as far back as San Gwann on one end.

The accident happened at the intersection between Old College Street and Mrabat Road, which meant that cars proceedings to Sliema could not continue on their journey.

Even the driver of a fire engine that was employed to control the blaze found it hard to get to the area in question, given the amount of cars that had piled up.

Photo: Daniel Camenzuli