A community was left in a state of shock after a car caught fire just yards away from where families live in a city street.

The silver VW Golf caught fire on Bullingdon Road, just off Cowley Road, in Oxford at around 1.15pm on Tuesday afternoon. 

Fire crews doused the flames with hose reels.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were not at the scene for long and dealt with the fire quickly, householders said. 

An eyewitness said he saw smoke billowing into the air before walking closer to the scene and seeing the car fire. 

The man, who did not wish to be named, added: "The whole car was engulfed in flames and it was quite a sight really. 

"The fire brigade took out the fire within minutes."