Macarthur police Senior Constable David Rook said the man was just outside the Macarthur township when his late model Mercedes-Benz struck a small kangaroo about 9pm.

"He stopped the vehicle, had a look and figured the kangaroo had flown off into the night," he said.

"Unfortunately it had wedged itself underneath the car, in between the radiator and the front grill."

The man drove a short distance home before parking the vehicle on the front lawn.

"He got out and the car burst into flames," Senior Constable Rook said.

"It was a large fire. Three CFA units from Broadwater, Macarthur and Byaduk were very quick on the scene and extinguished the fire, which caused about $6000 worth of damage to the car.

"No-one was hurt, and no other property was damaged."

Senior Constable Rook said the victim was uninjured but "shaken up".

"It was a very lucky escape," he said.

"He is lucky he didn't park under his car port, which could have also burst into flames. And it's lucky he got out of his car at that moment."

Senior Constable Rook said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

He said when the car burst into flames, nearby residents gathered on the street to have a look.

"It caused quite a lot of action in the street," he said.

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