A CAR stolen from Budleigh Salterton ended up overturned and engulfed in flames ten miles away.

A CAR stolen from Budleigh Salterton ended up overturned and engulfed in flames ten miles away.

Police this week launched an investigation to track down the criminal who pinched the red Vauxhall Astra saloon from Bedlands Lane, late last Friday, and fled after it crashed then burned out of control in Sidbury.

Firefighters feared a person was trapped in the flaming vehicle when they arrived at the scene, on the A375, at around 1.30am on Saturday. It took them an hour to tackle the blaze.

Crew commander Rob Crisp said his team feared the worst.

“It was a bit of a mystery when we got there,” Mr Crisp told the Journal.

“It seemed the car had hit the bank at the bottom of Sidbury Hill and rolled over onto its roof. It was well alight.

“At the time we couldn’t see anybody around which was unusual. We feared somebody was in there. Fortunately there wasn’t.”

Firefighters donned specialist breathing apparatus and used two hose reels to tackle flames. They left the scene at 2.40am.

A police spokesperson said the car was stolen between 12.45am on Saturday, March 19, and 10.30pm the night before, Friday, March 18.

Contact PC Simon Evans with information on 08452 777444, crime reference: KE/11/756.