Villagers swung into action to protect their library from a fire.

A member of staff from the Co-op used a fire extinguisher and residents grabbed a garden hose to tackle a car blaze next to Danbury library on Friday.

Joiner Elliot Cowan-McLean, 41, was among those helping.

He said: “I think we were there for about five to 10 minutes with the hose.

“I did think the car might explode."

One fire crew from Great Baddow was called to the scene in Main Road shortly before 6.45pm.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used one hose reel.

They had dealt with the incident by about 7.10pm.