TWO cars were destroyed in an explosion which also damaged two homes.
The two vehicles were spectacularly engulfed in flames in a dramatic fire believed to be caused by an electrical fault.
Shocked residents in the village of Litton Cheney told how they were awoken by the fire on Sunday morning. They said the cars went up 'like fireworks'.
The fire started in a Renault Megane parked on Main Street and quickly spread - destroying a Ford Focus parked next to it and causing damage to two nearby houses.
The owner of the Ford Focus, Becky Taylor, was in bed at 6am on Sunday when she and her partner heard a continuous car horn.
She said: "My partner suddenly jumped out of bed and said 'oh my God, the car is on fire'.
"The flames were coming from the bonnet and when it reached the fuel tank there was an explosion, it went up like fireworks.
"The fire was coming very close to the house. I'm usually quite calm but I have to admit I was incredibly scared. It felt like the heating was on full blast."
She added: "It's not the usual thing to happen in Litton Cheney. Everyone was quite excited out in the street - at least until it all went up, then they ran back inside."
Miss Taylor's next door neighbour's daughter had been visiting, and had parked her Renault Megane next to Miss Taylor's car.
The fire started in the bonnet of the Megane and soon engulfed both cars.
Miss Taylor's partner had parked his car behind hers, and was able to quickly move it before the fire spread further.
The fire reached both houses but luckily only caused minimal damage - plants outside the homes were burned and one house suffered cracks to its windows due to the heat.
The fire also engulfed a tree outside the two houses.
Miss Taylor, a school teacher, was pleased she was able to recover the belongings from her car, as the bulk of the fire was in the bonnet.
She said: "I know it sounds silly but that was what was going through my head at the time.
"My son's bike was in the car and all my books for school, I was really happy I was able to get it all back. Some of these things can't be replaced."
Fire crews rushed to the village at around 6.35am.
Crews from Bridport Fire Station and Dorchester Fire Station got to work extinguishing the fire, wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reel jets to put it out.
It is understood the fire was an accident caused by an electrical fault.
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