New figures showing the rising number of Vauxhall Zafira cars bursting into flames have been released by the London Fire Brigade, just weeks after the same model was pictured engulfed in a fireball in Sidcup.

Since 2013 the capital’s firefighters have attended 71 fires involving Zafiras, not including arson attacks, compared to just 38 in the previous four years.

This year alone they have tackled at least 21 blazes, including a Vauxhall Zafira in Lakeside Close, Sidcup, where the driver had a lucky escape before the car was engulfed in flames on November 1.

Vauxhall is writing to 220,000 Zafira B owners to ask them to arrange for their car's heating and ventilation system to be inspected by a local dealer.

The manufacturer said the root cause of the fires is improper repair of the heater fan resistor's thermal fuse, which protects the system.

Vauxhall’s recall affects owners of the Zafira B model launched in 2005, rather than current Zafira Tourer drivers.

Sue Freemantle, who is leading an online campaign for concerned motorists across the UK, expressed her alarm at the LFB figures after her experience of a Zafira going up in flames She said: "I think it's shocking. Every Zafira should be taken off the road until they find the root cause.”

Her campaign has received reports of more than 200 Zafira fires in total, and she believes Vauxhall is withholding important information from owners.

Mrs Freemantle launched the campaign after her own Zafira caught fire in September.

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The 37-year-old managed to escape with three of her children moments before the vehicle burst into flames.

She said: "My husband quickly ran in the house to get changed and I luckily was in the car and noticed the car was steaming up.

"The children wouldn't have noticed so God knows what would have happened (if I wasn't there).

"Our worst fear is that a child dies. It sends shivers down my spine because it's the one thing I dread to think."

London Fire Brigade's director of operations, Dave Brown, said: "If you smell smoke or burning coming from your car while you're driving it, you should pull over as soon as you can in a safe place, get everyone out of the vehicle and always stay a safe distance away.

"Then call the fire brigade and never go back to the vehicle while you're waiting."

Are you a Zafira driver who has been affected? Get in touch by emailing jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk or calling 07787 673803.