A WOMAN escaped uninjured after a car burst into flames during a multi-vehicle collision during rush hour this morning.

The Ford Fiesta was destroyed after colliding with an Audi containing two men on the A693 at East Castle, between Consett and Annfield Plain.

Adrian Matthews, who was driving his SEAT behind the Fiesta said he avoided going into the back of the Fiesta by six inches after taking evasive action.

Mr Matthews, 47, from Shield Row, Stanley, said: “The car in front hit a red Audi. I skidded and pulled out of the way, hit the kerb and bounced onto the pavement.

“She got out and the car was on fire. It had burst into flames straight away. She was shook up and had neck and chest pains from the seatbelt.

“She said he knees were hurting because they had hit the steering column from underneath. She was on her feet but they took her to the hospital.

“I barely missed her. If I had hit her as well she would have been in a bad way.”

The collision happened at around 8.50am this morning and also involved a Fiat and a Ford Focus, which were both driven by women who needed medical treatment following the crash.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “Emergency services were deployed to the scene however no injuries have been sustained.”

The road was closed while County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the car fire and made the area safe, but it has since been reopened.