A CAR erupted into a fireball after a suspected early-morning arson attack.

The Vauxhall Astra was parked in a small car park area in Boxsted Avenue when it burst into flames early this morning, just after midnight.

Josh Elvin, who lives nearby, was woken by the car’s alarm going off and went to investigate after seeing flames from his window.

He said: “Just after midnight this car alarm had been going off for five minutes so I opened my window to see what was going on.

“I poked my head out and saw the car on fire, so I jumped up and went downstairs.

“I phoned 999 and went out to make sure there was nobody in there.

“As I was about ten metres away there was a big bang. I think that must have been the petrol tank rupturing and exploding.

“It was a shock to see it going up like that."

One crew of firefighters from Clacton was sent to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze just before 1am.

Mr Elvin added: “The firefighters were there really quickly. I just told them what was happening and went inside.

“I just thought I had to do my bit to make sure everyone was okay.”

The car was empty when it burst into flames and no one was hurt in the incident.

The cause of the blaze is not known, but it is thought to be the result of an arson attack.