A driver had a lucky escape, managing to jump out of his car before it engulfed in flames.

Witnesses reported seeing the fire start underneath the car which was parked on the Eastern Esplanade in Canvey yesterday, before a good samaritan tapped on the car window to alert the driver who was inside, reportedly on his phone at the time.

Fire crews swiftly arrived at the scene to distinguish the blaze.

A spokesperson from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We received reports of a car fire on the Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, at 5.11pm yesterday.

"Crews managed to extinguish the fire by 5.30pm.

"The cause of the fire was accidental."