WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY. 50 MPH DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD,.ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, BUT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP.DRIVER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, BURNING GRASS SURROUNDING THE AREA, AND DESTROYING/ MELTING ALL WIRING, AND ALL OF FRONT END. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK