Fire destroys eight vehicles parked outside Lincolnshire flats

Firefighters were called to the blaze at Edward Road, Stamford at around 02:30 BST on Friday

Eight vehicles have been destroyed in a fire outside a block of flats.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at Edward Road, Stamford in Lincolnshire at 02:30 BST on Friday.

Heat damage was caused to the flats as well as to windows, doors and fences of nearby buildings, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

Although nobody was reported to have been injured, one resident told the BBC he feared for his life as he tried to tackle the blaze amid intense heat.

Lee Villett said: "Our house [fascia] had melted so obviously I was throwing water at the house.

"All the cars, the tyres were popping, engines were blowing up. There were things just flying everywhere.

"I was literally on my hands and knees because it was so hot.

"The fences started going up in peoples' houses and... windows were smashing. I panicked and feared for my life."

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire

Police and fire officers are investigating the cause of the fire, which eyewitnesses said was believed to have started in one of the cars before spreading quickly to the others.

Anthony Searle said he and his partner lost both their cars in the fire.

"When we first woke up mine wasn't alight and you could just see flames starting to come the other side of it," he said.

"So my first instinct was move my car, but then instantly I thought no, it's already too late."