A TAXI has been destroyed after it burst into flames moments after a passenger was dropped off.

The driver of the Ford Galaxy had set down a customer in Bowden Road, Ascot, when smoke started billowing out of the engine at around 9.30pm last night.

Within minutes the black car was engulfed in flames and a number of nearby vehicles also suffered damage.

No one was injured in the fire but many residents from neighbouring homes lined the streets after hearing small explosions come from the burning taxi.

Steve Borham, crew manager at Bracknell fire station, said: "He had just dropped off a passenger in Bowden Road and he just noticed some smoke coming from the bonnet.

"By the time we got there it was fully engulfed and there were some small explosions from the air bags.

"It was quite close to houses so there a lot of people around."

Firefighters doused the blazing vehicle but flames spread to one neighbouring car and heat damage saw a number of others suffer smashed windows and melted panels.