Pokemon Go players on a late-night hunt in Canterbury jumped into action when a stolen car crashed into a tree and exploded into a fireball.

The brave passersby were searching for characters when they drove past a Ford Focus which had burst into flames near St Edmund’s School in Whitstable Road.

Quick-thinking Beth Hicks, 28, her brother Chay, 31, cousin Joe Tomlinson, 27, and best friend Sian Tadman, 26, pulled over to help, concerned there might be someone in the vehicle.

But while they were calling the emergency services, there was an explosion and flames engulfed the car.

“My brother was on the phone to the fire brigade when the car exploded. There were three big bangs,” said Miss Hicks, who lives in Beltinge.

“When we first arrived it was just a small fire in the car, but it went up in flames.

“There were cars and houses behind so Joe knocked on people’s doors to try to wake them so they could move their cars, but no-one woke up.

“I don’t really know how they didn’t notice a car had smashed into a tree and gone up in flames.”

Miss Hicks says the horn in the car went off and the group feared there was someone in the vehicle trying to get their attention.

“Luckily there was no-one in there, but we first thought it was someone beeping the horn,” she said.

“Me and Sian directed traffic until the police arrived. No-one stopped except for a taxi driver, and a younger lad who was about 17 came over to see what was going on.”

Miss Hicks praised the quick response of firefighters, who she says were on the scene very quickly.

Police say the Ford Focus was reported to have been stolen from Wife of Bath Hill, Canterbury, between 5pm on Friday and 2.50am on Sunday.

Any witnesses to the theft or crash should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference number ZY/45950/16.