Car burnt out during late-night garage fire [Edition 2]

A VEHICLE was destroyed in a late-night carport fire that couldhave been caused by youths playing with fireworks.

The carport, containing a Renault Clio, burnt down asfirefighters tackled the blaze in Wellington Road, North Weald, ataround 11.48pm on Friday.

The two houses either side were also damaged by the flames andsmoke.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze has since beenlaunched by the police and fire service.

The Renault belonged to Mary Winwood, whose husband woke her withthe news the garage was on fire.

The couple's other car miraculously escaped undamaged, eventhough the garage collapsed inches away.

She said: "It was absolutely horrendous, I still cannot believeit. If kids started it with fireworks I wish they could see whatdamage they have caused. I'm just glad noone was hurt."

Robyn Law, 29, who lives opposite the garage, was asleep when sheheard the commotion outside.

She said: "By the time I came out it was all up in flames and thecar was exploding."

Firefighters from Ongar, Epping and Harlow spent about 40 minutestackling the flames.

Police cordoned off the scene and a car remained on siteovernight.