A fire engine and four cars were damaged after they were hit by an impatient driver.

The 12 tonne Volvo was on its way to a fire alarm call at Sussex University when the crash happened.

Other drivers on both sides of Upper Lewes Road, Brighton, pulled over as they saw the £160,000 fire engine with its lights and sirens on.

The crew was suddenly confronted by a Renault Clio coming towards them overtaking cars that had already pulled over.

Dave Statham, watch manager at Preston Circus fire station, said: “It came towards us head-on and we veered to the right.

“It swerved to the left but clipped the front of the appliance and went on to hit other cars.

“We stopped and had to call another crew out to go to the university. Fortunately that turned out to be a false alarm.”

Nobody was injured in the collision and the Vauxhall Astra, Honda Accord and Toyota Yarris involved received only minor damage.

Traffic police were called and a man in his 30s was questioned at the scene after the incident on Saturday at 6.15pm..

Mr Statham said: “This sort of impatient driving resulted in the delay of an appliance on an emergency call.

“Thankfully nobody was hurt but it is extremely frustrating when drivers behave in this way.

“The damage to the appliance was very minor but we had to spend a long time afterwards filling out the paperwork involved.”

Sussex Police confirmed a man in his 30s was questioned and the incident is still being investigated.