A car burst into flames as it crashed, narrowly avoiding a petrol garage.
The vehicle hit the advertising boards beside the BP garage on the London bound A127, Hornchurch, at around midnight.
A crew from Harold Hill Fire Station extinguished the fire at the scene which was also attended by police and the London Ambulance Service.
What caused the crash is currently unknown.
The male driver was able to free himself and get to safety.
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