Car bursts into flames on A270 Lewes Road in Brighton

The horror happened on the A270 Lewes Road next to Wild Park in Brighton on Saturday evening.

A woman described the scene as “mayhem” but praised the “outstanding” work of the fire service.

She said: “My son was at a shop nearby and he came home and said a car was smoking and saw a man jump out safely before it caught alight, so me and my partner drove round and there were fire engines already there.

Just after the car burst into flames in Lewes Road, Brighton

“Buses and traffic was stopped, the A27 was shut off from the bottom of Coldean Lane and was closed for a few hours.

“Buses and cars were being diverted by bus controllers along Barcombe road and it was mayhem.

“It took the firemen quite a while to put it out.

"I’m glad nobody was hurt and the firemen did an outstanding job and were very quick responding and getting it under control.”

Fire crews put out the smouldering wreck

It is unclear exactly what caused the fire, but East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said it was deemed accidental.

While Sussex Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

An ESFRS spokeswoman said: “We were called at 6.17pm on Saturday, May 14 to attend a car fire in Lewes Road, Brighton.

“Firefighters from Roedean attended and used two breathing apparatus, one in seven foam and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

"The cause of the fire was deemed accidental. We left the scene at 7.07pm.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report of a vehicle on fire on the A270 in Brighton at around 6.20pm on Saturday, May 14.

“Colleagues from the fire service attended and extinguished the blaze. The vehicle was recovered and the road was subsequently re-opened.

“There appear to be no suspicious circumstances at this time.”