An 18-year-old has escaped from his burning car just in time after a group of teenage boys allegedly threw a lit firework through his window while he was driving in Rangiora.

The incident happened at traffic lights on High Street, near Burger King, on Tuesday night.

His mother told Chris Lynch Media the firework flew across her son’s face, almost causing him to crash, before landing beneath the front passenger seat.

Flames quickly spread through the vehicle, but the teenager managed to drive into the car park near Animates and escape before the car was engulfed.

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com officers first received reports of a car fire on High Street at approximately 9.05pm.

Police and Fire and Emergency attended the scene, with enquiries continuing into the circumstances.

In an earlier statement, Fire and Emergency said a car fire in Rangiora on Tuesday was believed to have been caused by fireworks.

The teenager’s mother said three fire trucks and about five police vehicles responded.

Her son had owned the BMW convertible for just three days.

But she said the incident followed months of alleged bullying, threats and intimidation by the same group of teenagers.

The mother claimed her son had contacted police several times after being chased and threatened, including incidents where the boys allegedly turned up at the family home intending to attack him.

She believes earlier intervention could have prevented the fire and fears those responsible will not face appropriate consequences.

The teenager escaped without reported injuries but has been left badly shaken and frightened of further attacks.

Police have not confirmed whether the fire was deliberately started or whether anyone has been identified in connection with the incident.