Car on fire outside Australia Fair on the Gold Coast

A car that suddenly erupted into flames outside a busy Gold Coast shopping centre had only been paid off yesterday, the owner has told the Bulletin.

The BMW erupted into flames in the waiting bays at Australia Fair. Picture: supplied

A CAR engulfed by fire outside a busy Gold Coast Shopping Centre had only been paid off yesterday, the owner has told the Bulletin.

Troy Buttifant made the final payment on his BMW hatch just a day before the vehicle was destroyed by a sudden car fire in Southport.

The moment car becomes engulfed in flames. Picture: supplied

Firefighters put the flames out quickly. Picture: Tali Eley

Flames began pouring out from underneath the car as it left the underground parking lot of Australia Fair Shopping Centre.

“A pedestrian told us the car was on fire and at first we thought it must just be smoke,” Mr Buttifant said.

“We grabbed our phones and wallets - which we were lucky to get - and got out as quick as we could.

“I’ve had the car seven years and I just love it, I can’t believe we paid it off and this has happened.”

The car quickly became engulfed in flames, with firefighters saying it was “well involved.”

Firefighters extinguished the blaze quickly, though traffic was still being diverted in the area at 5.20pm.

Nobody is believed to have been injured.