IMAGES have emerged of a van engulfed in flames in the middle of a residential area.

The fire which took place in New Road, Tollesbury happened last Saturday morning (April 27).

While the owner of the van was shopping, his van suddenly burst into flames and caused damage to a parked van in front of it.

Ex-Plumber Barry Mcghee, 70, popped to the butchers and when he returned, he found his vehicle on fire.

“I went to the butchers and I must’ve been gone five minutes and when I came back, my car was on fire.

“Unfortunately, the wind caught up and blew the fire onto another van and then started a bit on a house.

However, while Barry said the sight was scary, he wasn’t worried.

Mr Mcghee added: “These things happen. The flames were about 20 ft high and they were crawling up the road.

“The spectacle of it was quite scary but no-one was hurt and I’m 70.

“My van was empty but the van next to mine had things in it.

“The van driver’s mates managed to open the back doors and get most of the stuff out – they were quite brave to do that.

"Now it's all in the hands of the insurance people.

“All praise to the fire brigade, they did some amazing work.”

A fire spokesman said the fire started at around 9.35am and was extinguished by firefighters by 10:30am.

The cause was recorded as accidental.