Shocking images circulating on social media show a man emerging from a car on fire in one of Amsterdam's most famous squares. In the clip, the small red car can be seen engulfed in flames in the city's Dam Square. Seconds later, a man who is seemingly also on fire emerges from the vehicle.

He can be seen stumbling around the square with his clothes ablaze before police with fire extinguishers arrive and douse him with foam, eventually putting out the flames.

The incident prompted authorities to cut access to the area. Police said camera footage had shown the fire was caused by an explosion, which shocked a crowd of people on the busy square. Despite the horrifying scenes, the force said no injuries were immediately reported. 

Dutch news outlet, NL Times, said there have been no known injuries to bystanders. Firefighters rushed to the square as well as a trauma team which arrived by helicopter.

An image published by the same publication shows the burnt out car after the fire had been put out and emergency services workers in the square.

Police said the driver of the car was suspected of having caused the blaze and had possibly done so on purpose.

Bomb disposal experts from the Dutch military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service were also sent to the square.

News of the fire comes after a knifeman injured five people near the same square in a stabbing rampage.

Detectives identified a 30-year-old Ukrainian national from the Russian-occupied eastern Donetsk region as the suspect. Prosecutors said the knifeman had terrorist intent. NL Times said the man remained in custody and is due to face charges in court in mid-April.

A British tourist managed to stop the knifeman, pinning him to the ground until police arrived to make an arrest.

Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema went on to award the unnamed Brit with the city's Hero Medal in recognition of his bravery.