A County Durham road was blocked off and emergency services rushed to the scene this afternoon after a car caught on fire and "exploded", according to eyewitnesses.

The car, which was on King Edward Terrace in Tanfield Lea, caught alight and smoke was pluming from its roof just after 11am today (June 19).

One crew from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and fought the flames for an hour as video footage shows one firefighter putting out smouldering flames at the engine.

Car on fire on King Edward Terrace in Tanfield Lea.Car on fire on King Edward Terrace in Tanfield Lea. (Image: STACEY CRAWFORD)

Pictures taken after the fire was put out shows the car has been utterly decimated by the flames - but the cause is currently unknown.

A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.19am today (June 19) to a vehicle fire on King Edward Terrace, Tanfield Lea, Durham.

“One fire engine from High Handenhold Fire Station attended the incident and Firefighters used one breathing apparatus and one hose reel to tackle the fire.

Car on fire on King Edward Terrace in Tanfield Lea.Car on fire on King Edward Terrace in Tanfield Lea. (Image: STACEY CRAWFORD)

“Crews left the scene at around 12.12pm.”

Stacey Crawford witnessed the incident unfold whilst she was on her way home.

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She told the Echo: "I was driving back from seeing my horses and I was on the opposite side - about three cars behind.

"I'm not sure what happened, I just saw the car on fire so I turned around and went around other way but by the time I got around the firefighters were there.

"It exploded, so I didn’t want to go near it."

Durham Constabulary have confirmed they attended the scene to manage traffic and recover the car.