A small explosion in a commercial van has destroyed the vehicle and injured its driver.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a vehicle fire in Patching Hall Lane, Chelmsford, just after 8am yesterday morning.

Crews arrived to find that a small explosion had left the van “badly damaged”.

“The driver - a man in his 30s - also suffered burns and was left in the care of the ambulance service,” a fire service spokesman said.

“An investigation will take place into the cause of the explosion, but at this stage we do not believe it to be suspicious.”