WATCH: Car on fire in suspected arson attack in South Shields street

It happened in Boldon Lane in South Shields at about 10pm on Monday.

The blaze, which engulfed a Fiat Punto car, is now being treated as an arson attack by police officers.

Liam Pearce, 17, was walking past the scene at the time and caught fire officers putting out the inferno.

Liam told the Gazette: "I was walking down Boldon Lane and noticed lots of smoke coming from the bottom of the street so I continued walking to see what it was.

"I heard a loud bang then noticed that there was a car on fire.

"I stopped as I got closer and took a video as the fire brigade turned up."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "Police received a call about a car on fire in Boldon Lane in South Shields at 10pm on Monday, June 20.

"The Fire Service responded and extinguished the fire which is being treated as arson.

"Police attended and are investigating the incident.

"Officers have been carrying out house to house inquiries in the area.

"The car, a Fiat Punto, sustained substantial fire damage.

"Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1198 200616."