Police are investigating a suspected arson incident in which a family were forced to flee a car fire on their driveway moments before it spread to their house.

The front windows of the house in Guysfield Drive, Rainham began to crack after the blaze, which started at around 11.30pm.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said: “There were people in the front of the house. They evacuated to the back while we dealt with it.

“We managed to stop it spreading to the house.”

The fire was extinguished in about ten minutes.

A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything in the area at around 11.30pm to come forward with information.

“Our investigations are ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Romford CID on 101.