What to do if a fire breaks out in your car

At least 220,000 Vauxhall Zafira B cars have been recalled for inspections following a series of fires.

New figures shown to ITV News suggest there have been almost 200 fires involving Zafira B cars.

Here are some tips from the UK fire service on what to do if a fire breaks out in your car:

• Switch off engine

• Release bonnet – Do Not Open

• Get everyone out of the vehicle

• Get far away from the vehicle and stay away, keeping onlookers and others away

• Dial 999 and call the fire brigade

• Warn oncoming traffic, if safe to do so

• If and only if you believe it is safe to do so, attempt to put out the fire with a dry powder or foam extinguisher

• If the fire is in the engine compartment, do not open the bonnet but aim the extinguisher through the radiator grille or under the edge of the bonnet

• Use with caution and if in doubt, don’t attempt to tackle the fire

• Never use water on an engine fire – it can short out wiring and spread burning petrol with disastrous effect

If you have one of the affected cars, you can find more information about the safety recall on the Vauxhall website