Car “engulfed” by fire on Pacific Motorway at Coomera with dozens of farm animals on board

Emergency services have responded to a confronting car fire on the Gold Coast in which dozens of animals couldn’t be saved. Read the latest.

Dozens of animals perish in Gold Coast car fire. Picture: Archive

A car carrying dozens of farm animals has burst into flames on the northern Gold Coast overnight with only the driver and passenger managing to escape.

The confronting situation unfolded about 8.30pm on Thursday as the car was travelling northbound on the M1 near Coomera, according to a Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokeswoman.

“The 18-year-old female driver could smell smoke coming from the vehicle” the QPS spokeswoman said.

“She managed to pull the vehicle to the emergency lane and her and her passenger got out of the vehicle and ran.

“The vehicle was engulfed in fire.”

The QPS spokeswoman said emergency services were unable to save the animals on-board.

The Bulletin understands chickens, birds and lambs were among the more than two dozen animals that perished in the blaze.

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said one crew attended the inferno and brought it under control within five minutes of arriving on scene.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Originally published as Car “engulfed” by fire on Pacific Motorway at Coomera with dozens of farm animals on board