Striking photographs taken by a passer-by show the extent of damage a car fire caused in Hitchin.

The Comet: The burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan HillThe burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan Hill (Image: Archant)

Stefan Hill, from Stevenage, took the pictures on Monday afternoon – and expressed shock as he posted them on social media.

Firefighters from Hitchin Fire Station tackled the car fire in Bury Mead Road at 9.20am that morning, with one engine at the scene.

The Comet: The burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan HillThe burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan Hill (Image: Archant)

A hosereel and two sets of breathing apparatus were used to put out the blaze, which was out by 9.55am.

Police told the Comet the fire was “accidental and happened at a garage”.

The Comet: The burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan HillThe burnt-out car in Hitchin's Bury Mead Road. Picture: Stefan Hill (Image: Archant)

The incident happened on the same day a lorry carrying scrap cars caught fire on the A505 Fishponds Road, between Butts Close and Hitchin Town’s Top Field football ground.