Off-duty fireman flags down car carrying young children moments before it burst into flames in Petts Wood

Fairway street was 'filled with smoke' after the now written-off car was ablaze at around 9.30am.

In a stroke of good luck the silver people carrier was spotted just in time by off-duty fireman Simon Hilliary. 

Mr Hilliary, of Sidcup White Watch, just happened to be driving behind the car - when he noticed something was not right.

After flagging down the occupant - a mother with a reported five young children in the back - the car burst into flames.

Crew manager Rob Johnson, of Orpington Green Watch, said: "A car caught on fire, she [the driver] was driving and an off-duty fireman, Simon Hilliary, behind her saw smoke starting to come out.

"She had to get the five kids out and when she got out the engine caught alight. The whole of the engine was alight.

"We think he [Mr Hilliary] was just taking his own kids to school."

The heroic fireman then alerted the emergency services. 

Crew manager Johnson added: "She was very lucky; she thought it was just over heating, but she was told to get the kids out and as they did that the car caught alight. There were flames coming out the bottom as well."

The acrid smell of burnt plastic filled the air as the smoking wreck was left by the side of the road, with most of the engine a twisted melted ruin.

Crew manager Johnson added: "The police tried to put it out with fire extinguishers before we got here, but that didn't work as they couldn't get the bonnet open.

"After we put it out we have to keep dousing it as little bits could catch fire which could set alight the petrol in the back."

An ambulance was also reportedly passing by, and stopped to give the occupants a once over.

Crew manager Johnson added: "The ambulance was just going past and they saw the kids and they thought to stop as a precautionary measure for smoke inhalation."

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: "We can confirm an ambulance crew attended reports at around 8.40am this morning (Monday 10 November).

"We checked over a number of patients but no-one was taken to hospital.”

Tudor Road was also closed for a short period this morning, Monday November 10, which crew manger Johnson said the police had done as there was a school nearby, adding: "There was lots of smoke, it filled the street. There's lots of smoke with car fires because there's so much plastic, that's what causes all the smoke."

A 37-year-old neighbour said: "I didn't see it but I saw the fire engines rush past the school!"

The mum from Tudor Way added: "I couldn't believe it when I was told it was outside my house. They shut the road, nothing like this has ever happened here - we've had a few accidents but never a fire!"

Did you see anything? Leave your comments below