Firefighters have been tackling a van blaze near historic homes in a village.

Crews battled the flames after a white Vauxhall caught fire in Hale Street in East Peckham near the junctions with Smithers Lane and Church Lane.

A resident, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline that a man was in the vehicle when the fire broke out around 11.45am today (January 11).

The witness said: “I think the fire broke out in the fuel compartment and then spread into the back of the van.

“The man was out of the van and calling for the fire brigade, which came between five to 10 minutes [later].

“When they arrived, it took them about 10 minutes to put out the fire, which had spread from the middle of the van to the back.

“The van will probably have to be scrapped as it completely burnt out.

“It was a bit of a shock to see as I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said there were no injuries and the cause is believed to be “accidental and linked to a mechanical”. fault.