A CAR has been left totally destroyed following a fire which is being treated as suspected arson.

Neighbours heard "popping" and "banging" noises and raised the alarm yesterday afternoon after spotting the Vauxhall Corsa up in flames.

Firefighters from Dee Road station rushed to the scene at Lyndhurst Road, Tilehurst, but the car was already well alight.

Fire crews quickly doused nearby cars to cool them down and stop the damage from spreading before putting out the blaze.

The Corsa was destroyed in the fire but no other cars parked next to it on the grass verges were affected.

Watch manager Steve Trenery, of Dee Road station, said: "Neighbours heard popping and banging and a couple of them called it in.

"It was starting to go well when we got there and there were a few other cars parked nearby.

"It was destroyed by the time we had put the fire out."

Firefighters suspect the fire was a case of arson and Thames Valley Police have taken over the investigation.