A driver who noticed his brakes were sticking while driving at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on S.C. 46 near Rose Dhu Creek pulled over on the side of the road, where his car started smoking and then burning.

Lt. Joe Babkiewicz of the Bluffton Police Department said the driver was able to get out safely before the car burst into flames and the fire spread to nearby trees and grass.

Capt. Randy Hunter of the Bluffton Township Fire District said the blaze was easily extinguished, but the car was heavily damaged.

Traffic on S.C. 46 was blocked for about 45 minutes.