Several explosions from a burning car have forced the evacuation of residents from a unit complex in the middle of the night.

An allegedly stolen silver Hyundai 140 was abandoned in a driveway entrance in Cairns, in Far North Queensland.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Multiple explosions from burning car forced evacuations

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Witnesses called police and firefighters saying the car was on fire — with multiple explosions reported — in Balaclava Rd, Earlville, about 2am on Tuesday.

Residents of a nearby complex were evacuated.

“There was some damage caused at the unit complex,” Queensland Police Detective Inspector Kevin Garnum said.

“Residents of that complex were required to evacuate until the fire was brought under control.”

No one was injured and residents returned to their homes soon after 2.20am.

Witnesses told 7NEWS they were very concerned about the fire spreading, but police and fire services responded quickly.

“It’s a pretty scary thing at 2am in the morning,” a local resident said.

“It’s usually pretty quiet around here so it is pretty strange.”

The vehicle was allegedly stolen from a Woree address on the morning of August 11, police said.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact police via Policelink or Crimestoppers via 0180 333 000.