A GARAGE had to be evacuated at rush hour yesterday after a van on forecourt caught on fire.

The small van was well alight when fire crews reached the scene on Fishponds Road, Bristol yesterday evening.

They were called at 5.19pm and sent two crews from Kingswood to the garage where they found staff and customers had already evacuated the building.

An Avon Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Once on scene firefighters in breathing apparatus used a high pressure hose reel and jet to extinguish the fire."

He said the blaze was believed to have been started accidentally.