People off the street joined the fire service yesterday helping to put out a car that caught fire in Mount Maunganui.

The stationary vehicle began burning at around 4pm on the corner of Tawa Street and Maunganui Road.

Two members of the public attempted to douse the flames with fire extinguishers, before a fire engine arrived and crewmembers took over.

Phil Gleeson, who lives in an apartment across the road, witnessed the event unfold.

'I noticed a little bit of smoke, and saw it was coming from the bonnet of a car. I immediately called 111, and they said they had just received another call about it.

'It wasn't smoking particularly badly to start with, but once it caught fire properly plenty of smoke was billowing out.”

He says the response from the fire service was quick, arriving minutes later.

'It was good there were some members of the public who tried to help with fire extinguishers too.”