An e-rickshaw was “completely destroyed” after it caught fire near Buckingham Palace in central London.

Videos and pictures posted on social media showed firefighters hosing down the charred and smoking remains of the rickshaw at lunchtime on Saturday.

Onlookers said they heard an “explosion” at Buckingham Gate, which stretches into the palace.

Shortly before 1pm, firefighters from Lambeth fire station were called to reports of a fire at Buckingham Gate and the road was closed. No injuries were reported, police said.

Greg Double, 35, from Fulham, west London, was walking to the playground at St James’ Park with his daughter when he saw the fire and posted a video of the burnt rickshaw on X.

Video showed a charred and damaged e-rickshaw as a firefighter used a hose to extinguish the flames, which Communications Director Dubour said were “about four feet high.”

He told the PA news agency that “there was a fire on the pavement” and “there was a popping sound.”

He added: “Fire and police were on scene and it was extinguished quickly.

“Given the location, some people speculated it was terrorism or some form of protest, but to me it looked like a bicycle on fire.

“I overheard a police officer saying that the fire was a rickshaw and not an e-bike, but the driver was nowhere to be seen.”

Another witness, who was standing by the walls of Buckingham Palace, posted a video showing how close the fire came to the king’s official residence in London.

The Metropolitan Police said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman said: “Police were informed that a tricycle was on fire on Spur Road, SW1.

“The road was closed while London Fire Brigade responded. No injuries were reported.

“The fire is not believed to be suspicious or intentional.”

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A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters attended an electric tricycle which had caught fire and was completely destroyed by the blaze.

“A fire engine was dispatched from Lambeth Fire Station at 12.44pm and the incident concluded at 1.02pm. No casualties were reported.”