A FAMILY's car has been reduced to a smouldering wreck after a suspected arson attack on Tuesday.

Fire crews responded to reports of a car fire on Ravens Avenue, in Halstead, at 3:30am to find the vehicle engulfed in flames when they arrived.

The fire was reported as being extremely volatile with the car exploding, showering the street with shards of glass and metal debris.

Fears of the fire spreading increased when the car's brakes came loose after the explosion and the car began to roll towards the house.

Fortunately, firemen from the Halstead fire station were quick on the scene and managed to put out the fire before it spread to the house.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to a vehicle fire in Ravens Avenue, Halstead at 3:31am.

"On arrival, crews reported that a car was 100% alight and worked to extinguish the fire by 4:02am."

Described by Halstead fire station as a "very dangerous incident that could have easily injured people and other property", luckily no one was hurt during the blaze.

By no means accidental, the fire is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

Essex Police attended the scene and are now conducting an investigation.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were called at around 3.55am today, Tuesday 18 February, by the fire service following reports of a car fire in Ravens Avenue, Halstead.

"We are treating the fire as arson and our enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information is asked to call Braintree police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/26649/20 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

The family and other residents are also currently appealing for any CCTV footage from Ravens Avenue as well as from nearby streets such as King's Road, Balls Chase and Stansted Road.