Dramatic pictures show a police car bursting into flames just metres away from base.

Sussex Police officers had to bail out of the car while driving down the main road into Arundel this morning after spotting flames coming from the vehicle.

Firefighters were not able to save it from being destroyed by the time they arrived at the scene in The Causeway, and an investigation is now underway to identify the cause.

The fire took hold on the passenger side and parts of the vehicle could be seen melting onto the road.

It stopped around 100 metres away from Arundel Police Station.

The road was closed while firefighters battled the blazeThe road was closed while firefighters battled the blaze (Image: Joanne Johnstone)

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Thankfully, no one was injured and the fire was quickly extinguished by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation, however there is nothing to suggest it was of deliberate ignition."

The fire service said they used breathing apparatus, one hose and a thermal imaging camera to extinguish the flames.