CREWS from Southend fire station were called out three times in the early hours of Monday to separate car fire incidents.

Firefighters were sent out first at 2.20am to St Luke's Road after receiving reports of a Ford Fiesta being alight.

The flames were put out by 2.45am with crews saying the car was totally destroyed and the fire was started deliberately.

An hour later the same firefighters were called to Belle Vue Motors in Southchurch Road after reports of flames being seen in the main courtyard.

After an inspection of the site, it was determined the flames had come from fireworks set off underneath the vehicles and no damage was caused.

At 5.40am reports of a motorcycle on fire were received in Ash Walk with firefighters able to extinguish the flames by 6.10am.

The bike which had been dumped in a ditch was destroyed and damage was also caused to fence panels at neighbouring properties in Pleasant Road.