A CAR caught fire ... after hitting a sheep!
But the animal got up, ran off and was seen grazing in a nearby field.
A woman was driving her two young children along Manchester Road near West End Garage between Slaithwaite and Marsden when the sheep ran into the road during a snow blizzard at 8.30am yesterday.
She was unable to avoid hitting the animal, but it got up and ran off. However, smoke began to pour from under the car's bonnet when she pulled over.
Marsden firefighters tackled the blaze.
Crew manager Neil Sutcliffe said: "We managed to confine the fire to the engine. We think the impact of the sheep hitting the car must have ruptured a fuel line."
A motorist going the other way saw what happened.
Elaine Parr, of Slaithwaite, said: "The woman had left the car and was running back down the road with her children.
"It was amazing the car caught fire after hitting the sheep. The sheep seemed OK.
"The problems with sheep wandering about on the roads around Marsden is getting worse.
"I'm worried it's just a matter of time before they cause a major accident. Something needs doing about the problem."
