A COP car erupted in flames sparking fears of a "booby trap bomb".

A former female police officer in the car managed to escape without injury following the mechanical fault in Northern Ireland today.

The bomb squad was been scrambled to examine the burning car on the A2 Belfast to Bangor road over fears a bomb had been placed under it.

But Police Service of Northern Ireland later confirmed a mechanical fault was to blame.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said originally he believed the horror at around 8.30am was a "terrorist attack".

He wrote on Twitter: "Suspected under car booby trap device. My concern is for the officer and family of officer. Terrorism will never prevail."

But he has since posted: "UPDATE reports suggest this was a major malfunction of the vehicle and not terrorist related. If so that's a huge relief and I hope those involved are uninjured."

A PSNI spokesman said: "Police are currently in attendance at an ongoing incident on the Main A2 between Belfast and Bangor.

"Shortly before 8.30am police received a report that a car had caught fire at the junction of Ballyrobert Road. The female driver of the vehicle was not injured.

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"Following initial enquiries at the scene, ATO have been tasked to conduct an examination of the vehicle.

"The main A2 remains closed at this time while the investigation into the circumstances of the incident continue.

"There are no further details at this time."

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