A van was ablaze near Beckenham High Street last night.

The fire service was called around 7.30pm to reports of a refuse truck ablaze.

Eyewitness Chris Kateley, 17, said: "The truck pulled up just before the traffic lights with smoke coming from the bonnet.

“The driver got out of the vehicle and went to check the engine but by that time flames had started to emerge from the engine!

"It was a refuse truck which burst into flames on Beckenham high street, nearly igniting nearby trees and buildings."

Mr Kateley, from Shirley, added: "The fire brigade were called and they arrived just in time to prevent the tree next to the vehicle from catching fire."

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "We were called at 19.53pm to a van alight along Kelsey Park Road..

"The fire was out just after 20.05pm. There was just damage to the van, no reports of anyone being injured."

Bromley Council confirmed it was not one of their contracted refuse trucks.

Did you see what happened? Send your photos or comments to Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk