A motorist had to be flashed by another driver to warn him his car was on fire.

The Peugeot 206 burst into flames as its driver was returning home from work.

It happened at White Willow Close, Ashford, at 6.50pm yesterday.

An Ashford Fire Station spokesman said: “Another motorist flashed the driver to stop when they saw smoke coming from under the engine. The car soon went up in flames.”

The driver of the blazing car got out in time and one fire engine from Ashford was called out.

Firefighters used a hosereel jet and breathing apparatus to put out the blaze.

The cause of the fire was thought to be engine failure and the Peugeot was 60% destroyed.