Karzan Mamandy could only watch on helplessly as his shiny gold Seat Leon was engulfed by flames.
The 31-year-old had driven just over the border into Salford from Manchester when he noticed something wasn't right with his car.
Moments later, he stood by one of the city's busiest junctions and saw his pride and joy become a charred wreck.
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Firefighters raced to Trinity Way, near the junction with Chapel Street, to get the blaze under control on Thursday evening (August 26).
Standing on huge alloy wheels, the car's glistening gold paintwork became a chalky grey from the damage, and all Karzan could do was watch the horror unfold.
He told the Manchester Evening News : "I was just coming back from Manchester and I could smell something like a fire.
"I saw some cloud come inside and so I decided to park up here. I checked inside [the bonnet] and didn't see anything, but after I opened the boot I could see the fire.
"Because there were cars behind me, I decided to close the boot, so the fire wouldn't go to somebody else.
"After I closed the boot, the fire became more, and more, and more."
Karzan was travelling alone when his car burst into flames, and fortunately he did not suffer any injuries.
He said he wasn't sure what had caused it.
The fire crew pumped water into the vehicle before sweeping up debris, while police kept traffic moving past.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 5.15pm on Thursday, August 26, firefighters were called to a fire involving a car on Trinity Way, Salford.
"One fire engine from Salford arrived quickly at the scene, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using two hose reels.
“The crew remains in attendance and is working with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police to ensure scene and traffic safety.”
Greater Manchester Police was approached for comment.
