A dramatic video shows a Streamline taxi engulfed in flames in a tight cul-de-sac this morning.

The blaze, which happened in Foord Road, Lenham, shortly before 8am, quickly spread to two parked cars.

A witness said the mini-van had pulled up to collect a child on the school-run when it suddenly caught fire.

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No one was in the vehicle at the time but the flames soon spread to two cars parked nearby.

A fourth vehicle was badly damaged by the heat.

Fire crews spent 40 minutes extinguishing the flames before the area was declared safe.

A Streamline spokesman said he was unsure of what caused the blaze and an investigation was underway, but that it would be "inappropriate" to comment further.

The accident comes less than a month after dozens of secondary school pupils were evacuated from a coach moments before it burst into flames.

Around 30 youngsters were on a bus heading to Swadelands School, in Ham Lane, Lenham, on September 11 when the driver noticed a fault.

The vehicle stopped outside Platts Heath Primary School, in Headcorn Road, and erupted into flames.

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