A shocking video shows a taxi on fire on Oxford Road this morning (April 21).

Fire crews rushed to Oxford Road at around 9.30 to put out the blaze.

Reading Chronicle: via Archie Proutvia Archie Prout  

A video from a passerby showed the front of the people-carrier engulfed in flames at the junction of Bedford Road and Oxford Road. 

Archie Prout, who works at Richer Sounds on the Oxford Road, said: "[The] taxi had a small flame underneath, my colleague tried to extinguish [the flames] but to no avail. 

Reading Chronicle: via Archie Proutvia Archie Prout

"[The] driver was luckily not in the car when the fire started around 9:30ish. 

"The reaction we had was to help as best we could!"

Reading Chronicle:

 

Pictures from another eyewitness show three fire and rescue personnel dealing with the aftermath of the incident. 

Reading Chronicle:

A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 9:31am on Thursday, 21 April, we received reports of a vehicle on fire on Oxford Road in Reading.  

"A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew from Caversham Road was sent to the scene.

"Upon arrival, firefighters equipped in breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish the fire.

"Crews were on the scene for around 35 minutes." 

Reading Chronicle:

The Chronicle understands fire crews left the scene around 10.10am but the burnt-out taxi remains on location awaiting collection. 

Reading Buses routes were affected by the incident but the company has tweeted to say services are now back to normal.