An investigation is underway after a fierce blaze destroyed a car next to a level crossing.

It happened at Wool station about 9.30pm on Friday night, and led to trains between Weymouth and Bournemouth being suspended.

The two occupants got out of the vehicle before the fire took hold and were not injured.

Pictures from Network Rail show the car engulfed in flames. In the pictures it is positioned on the track at the footpath crossing, away from the level crossing.

Network Rail said British Transport Police are leading the investigation to find out why the car ended up on the track.

A Network Rail team removed the vehicle from the track and reported there was no damage to the third rail (which carries the electricity for the trains to run).

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said one crew from Wareham was sent to extinguish the fire after a call came in about 9.50pm reporting a car 'stuck' at the crossing.

Firefighters wore breathing kits to tackle the fire, which destroyed the vehicle. They left the scene about midnight. 

Rail engineers worked overnight to reopen the line.

They described it as a "complicated repair" and the line was only able to fully open yesterday morning.

Replacement bus services were laid on between Weymouth and Wareham while the line was closed.