AN ELDERLY driver had a lucky escape when his car burst into flames as he started the engine in the garage at his home in Ringwood yesterday morning.

As flames and smoke poured from the engine bay of his Reliant Robin three-wheeler, owner George Fletcher, 81, called out to neighbours at the Old Mill House flats off Bickerley Road to raise the alarm.

A retained fire crew from Ringwood was called to the scene shortly before 10am, but the garage in the centre of a row of nine was already well ablaze by the time they arrived.

Fire engines from Burley and Ferndown also attended and at the height of the blaze more than a dozen fire fighters using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets were involved.

They were unable to save Mr Fletcher's garage and the fibreglass bodied Reliant which was completely destroyed.

Flames spread through the roof to neighbouring garages where a Renault Laguna was also severely damaged by fire and falling debris.

As he surveyed the charred remains of his garage, a shocked Mr Fletcher said: "It went bang and flames started coming out. I got out quickly."

Ironically Mr Fletcher was about to take the 20-year-old Reliant for its annual MoT inspection yesterday when the fire occurred.

"I have never had any trouble with it before and it was in good condition," said Mr Fletcher, who has owned the car since 1984.