NEW pictures show the extent of flames as they destoyed an ice cream van on the M40 near Oxford this weekend.

Firefighters from Bicester and Oxford attended the scene near junction 10 on Saturday morning but were unable to save the vehicle which was completely destroyed.

The images, taken by Oxford United photographer Darrell Fisher as he travelled to Sunderland for the football team's match, show the blaze as it melted the front half of the van.

He said: "It was right before the turn for Ardley at about 8.30am. 

"It was already well in flames by the time we went past."

Witney Gazette:

Thick black clouds coming from the van   Picture: Darrell Fisher

The fire, which is being blamed on a mechanical fault, caused lane one of the carriageway as well as the hard shoulder to be closed until around 10am.

Pictures shared by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service show the blackened, smoldering remains of the wreckage as it was put out by fire crews.

Witney Gazette:

Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service