A woman had a lucky escape after she managed to free herself from her burning car, moments before the vehicle exploded in flames.

The 38-year-old was driving along Southchurch Road, Southend, yesterday morning when, as she stopped at traffic lights near the White Horse pub, a passerby knocked on her window to say her Fiat Uno was on fire.

Just seconds later the entire vehicle burst into flames.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002