AN investigation was launched after a car went up in a ball of flames.

The car was seen on fire in Normandy Avenue, Colchester, at 9.43am on Wednesday.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a car fire.

“The fire was extinguished by 10.03am. The cause has been recorded as undetermined.”

It was the second drama in the area in a matter of hours. At 4.50pm on Tuesday, witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing out from the engine of a First bus in Mersea Road. The number 175 bus was travelling towards the crematorium.

Steve Hartman, operations manager at First Colchester said: “We experienced a mechanical defect involving the exhaust system, resulting in some smoke exhaling from the engine compartment. I can confirm there was no fire or danger to passengers.”