Top Gear presenters Chris Harris and Eddie Jordan have walked away from an incident during filming which saw the car they were driving go up in flames.
Harris and Jordan were driving a pre-production Alpine sports car during filming on a closed section of the Monte Carlo Rally's SS17 during a recreation of a famous stage when they were forced to pull over and leave the vehicle after being told that flames were coming from the bottom of the car.
The Top Gear team detailed the incident on their website, and explained that while neither presenter was injured during the incident, fire crews were ultimately unable to contain the fire and the Alpine sports car was lost.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
"I first realised I needed to get out when I opened the door and the flames went up my arm," Harris said in a statement. "Sadly the car was lost and it always makes me sad to see a beautiful car destroyed."
Former F1 teams bossed Eddie Jordan added: "Doing a stage of the Monte Carlo Rally was a dream come true for me. The car was stunning – so light on its toes. It was dancing around the mountain and Chris was driving it beautifully.
"It's such a shame we didn't finish the test, but these things happen."
A Top Gear spokesperson added to Digital Spy: "There was an incident during filming in Monaco last Monday morning with an Alpine that led to a fire taking hold of the main vehicle – which Alpine is now investigating.
"Thankfully Chris Harris and passenger Eddie Jordan, both exited the stationary vehicle unhurt."
Top Gear is returning for its 25th series on the BBC later this year, once again with the revamped hosting line-up of Matt LeBlanc, Rory Reid and Chris Harris taking the lead.
Contributor Eddie Jordan will be back, while Sabine Schmidt is also expected to return.
While we don't yet have a confirmed premiere date for the new series, we do have a full-length trailer teasing what's in store, featuring everything from flying cars to tractors and dancing (obviously).
Top Gear airs on BBC Two.
