Dartford Tunnel fire: Drivers panic after car bursts into flames

Drivers were told to evacuate their cars while emergency services from Kent and Essex worked to put out the blaze

Firefighters from two counties were called out to tackle the fire (Getty)

Drivers in the Dartford Tunnel have been forced to flee their cars in panic after a vehicle burst into flames.

Fire-fighters from Kent and Essex were called to the east bore tunnel near Dartford just before 1pm on Saturday.

Both tunnels had to be closed while the fire was extinguished, but no injuries have been reported.

Witnesses took to social media to describe the commotion, with one Twitter using commenting: “Scariest moment ever, the car in front of me was on fire in the Dartford tunnel, we all had to evacuate. Thought I was going to die.”

Drivers were told to leave their cars while emergency response teams worked to put out the fire.

Luca Regan, 14, from Colchester, said: “Everyone started to run and scream out of the tunnel in fear the car was going to explode.”

A spokesman from Kent Fire and Rescue said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service along with colleagues from Essex Fire and Rescue Service responded to a car fire in the Dartford Tunnel just before 1pm.”

“The tunnel's automatic fire safety suppression system activated, quickly knocking back the small fire, and preventing it from spreading to other vehicles or damaging the tunnel.”

“Fire crews made the scene safe and crews left close to 2.30pm.”