A dramatic photo shows a car engulfed by a raging fireball on the New Thanet Way this afternoon.

A passerby captured an image of flames and thick black smoke pouring from the vehicle on the coastbound carriageway between Herne Bay and St Nicholas-at-Wade.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 12.15pm, with the incident sparking a mile-long tailback as motorists headed towards Thanet.

Malcolm Fairman says he could see “tons of black smoke” from a distance.

“About 50ft behind, a green car had stopped with one person in, and a family of four were standing by the roadside with a small pile of personal stuff scattered around their feet,” he told KentOnline.

“No other traffic was stopping but it was causing a tailback.

“While filming, a fire engine arrived and one firefighter managed to bring the flames under control while another went and spoke to the family.”

It is not yet known what caused the fire, but the bonnet was open, suggesting a fault was being investigated.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said two engines attended, and crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets to extinguish the flames.

No injuries were reported.