Parts of Colchester town centre were sealed off on Friday after a van caught fire in the middle of a street.
Fire crews were called to Chapel Street North, around 2pm, where they found a G4S armoured security van completely alit, with smoke spreading to a nearby flat through an open window.
The van was reportedly carrying tens of thousands of pounds in cash, with initial fears that it had been set on fire deliberately, either by robbers or as an act of terrorism.
The incident took place near the popular Playhouse pub, which suffered some damage.
According to eyewitnesses, two guards were seen scrambling out uninjured.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze by 2.30pm and used a fan to clear smoke from the nearby flat.
The flat has been left with some smoke damage to the kitchen.
Investigators have since concluded that the fire started after an engine fault in the van.
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