A "possible disaster" was averted thanks to quick thinking garage workers who evacuated a petrol station when a car burst into flames.
At around 5.45pm on Wednesday, a fire broke out as the car was parked up at the Sainsbury's petrol station on Salters Lane in Sedgefield, County Durham.
The staff evacuated the site and closed it off while emergency services were called to the scene.
A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) said: "We received a call to a small vehicle fire located at the rear of Sainsbury’s petrol station."
On fire engine from Sedgefield station was sent to the scene just before 5.50pm.
The car was "well alight" when the crew arrived but they managed to extinguish the flames and make sure the car was safe before leaving just after 6.10pm.
Nobody was injured by the fire and the car has since been recovered.
A message on the Durham Police RPU SC twitter account said: "A good bit of team work tonight with @CDDFRS after a car fire in a petrol station. Petrol station evacuated and closed off by professional @sainsburys Sedgefield staff. Well done all involved for preventing a possible disaster."
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson added: "Police were called to reports of a car on fire at a petrol station in Sedgefield shortly before 6pm last night (January 27).
"Officers were joined at the scene by our colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.
"The incident involved a black Ford Focus which has now been recovered."
