Witness account of car fire outside Tesco in Rottingdean

The blaze broke out just after 8.20am yesterday morning outside the Tesco Express in West Street, Rottingdean.

Bystanders told how it went from a small fire underneath the car then erupting into a huge blaze in around ten seconds.

The driver was inside the store shopping when the fireball happened.

The car set ablaze just before 8.30am (Image: Newsquest)

One witness told The Argus: “I saw the lady who owns the car being served. I didn’t really hear anything but when I walked out, it was just a ball of flames.

“We all ran over to the bus stop, we don’t know how it didn’t explode.

“You couldn’t feel the heat inside the store, you could smell the burning though.”

Another person added: “It went from a small fire to a massive one in about ten seconds. The wind didn’t help either.

There were thick black plumes of smoke as the car erupted into flames (Image: Newsquest)

“I was just trying to get people away.”

The car was left a burnt-out shell and a nearby rubbish bin was partially melted but the surrounding area was unscathed.

The car was parked in the Tesco loading bay. A witness said that, luckily, no one was near it when the flames erupted.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within about 15 minutes.

The aftermath of the fire (Image: Newsquest)

Another eyewitness described the strong burning smell after the fire was extinguished.

He said: “The smell of fumes was really strong. All the interior of the car was completely melted too.

“There was loads of foam on the floor which Tesco staff said they needed to clear before reopening.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service had one fire engine in attendance and said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Just before firefighters left the scene at around 9.15am (Image: Newsquest)

It confirmed there were no injuries reported.

Tesco workers said the store would reopen within the hour.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.24am to a supermarket in West Street, Rottingdean, after reports of a car fire."

Firefighters left at around 9.15am.