A Richmond woman was uninjured after the dashboard of her 2006 Chevy Avalanche caught fire Tuesday morning as she made her way to work.

Richmond police Officer Josh Staples said Sharon Carter, 50, of Richmond, was driving down Main Street and had the heater on.

She looked over and saw smoke coming from underneath the dashboard on the passenger side, he said.

By the time she pulled over, the entire dashboard was engulfed in flames, Staples said.

Some passers-by stopped to help put out the fire with extinguishers, and the Richmond Fire Department was called to make sure the fire was completely out.

When firefighters arrived, Staples said papers and items in the glove box were still smoldering.

The fire is being attributed to an unspecified mechanical malfunction.

The vehicle sustained extensive damage and was towed by Rick’s Towing.

Carter, the sole occupant of the Chevy, was not injured and was checked at the scene by North East Mobile Health Services.