Clutch problem

I have a 1999 Ford Fiesta Finesse with 60,000 miles on the clock. I had been out shopping and as I was pulling up at home I could smell a strong burning smell inside the car. When I stopped and got out there was a white smoke coming from the side of the car and the smell of burning was even stronger. My father looked under the bonnet and could not see anything. However, the smell was coming from the left handside of the car. My father and I both felt the wheel trim and it was boiling hot. We felt the other wheels and they were barely warm. My father thinks it could be a problem with the brakes (maybe they were catching against something). Have you heard of this problem before?
Thanks