The blaze that destroyed an Audi R8 valued at more than $120,000 on the Merritt Parkway Sunday morning is being investigated as an accidental fire, firefighters said.

Assistant Fire Chief Stephen B. Curry said the driver of the Audi R8, which he estimated is worth about $123,000, was driving northbound on the Merritt Parkway between exits 46 and 47 when he noticed smoke coming from the back of the car about 8:59 a.m.

"The engine caught fire. It's a rear-engine car. It absolutely destroyed the car," Curry said.

Curry said the car was a "pure race car" and "a street version of [Audi's] Formula One race car."

Curry said the driver, the only occupant of the car, pulled off to the side of the parkway when he noticed smoke and that the Audi was "essentially fully involved" by fire when firefighters arrived. He said the driver wasn't injured. "I think right now they're investigating it as an accidental fire," Curry said.

The identity of the driver wasn't available from firefighters Sunday afternoon.