Tesco delivery driver saves pensioner and his dog from burning car moments before explosion in Worcester

A Tesco delivery driver rescued an 89-year-old pensioner and his dog from a burning car moments before it exploded on a Worcester street Tuesday morning.

Ronald English was driving a Microcar MGO on Cranham Drive when smoke began to billow from the dashboard shortly after 10:30 a.m. He pulled over, half scrambled out with his 13-year-old terrier Tina, and was helped away from the vehicle by a passing Tesco delivery van driver, who then dragged the pair to safety as flames quickly took hold of the bonnet. Seconds after they were cleared, the car erupted into a fireball.

The incident occurred on Cranham Drive in Worcester, Worcestershire, prompting emergency services to respond within minutes. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said a crew from Worcester Fire Station was dispatched at 10:35 a.m. to a vehicle well alight on the roadway. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hosereel jet to battle the flames while police closed the street to traffic for more than an hour as responders worked at the scene. Investigators from the fire service opened a probe into the blaze’s cause.

Mr. English, who has two children and six grandchildren, said he believed the car may have overheated. He had the vehicle serviced two months earlier and recently fitted with new tyres, and he noted that the car still had about three-quarters of a tank of petrol when it caught fire. He told reporters he was shaken by how quickly the situation escalated but remained grateful for the help he received and for the quick actions of the Tesco driver and others nearby who rushed to assist.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as smoke spread and flames surged from the bonnet. Chloe Broadway, who was nearby when the car caught fire, recalled that the moment of ignition produced a loud bang that frightened bystanders. Another resident, Leah Smith, said her husband—who is a firefighter—rushed from their home to help, followed by her father, who previously worked as a retained firefighter. A third neighbor said the sight was almost unbelievable, stressing that it felt like a miracle English and Tina escaped unharmed.

Authorities said Cranham Drive remained closed while fire crews and highways officers coordinated with local police to manage traffic and secure the area. Fire investigators continued to examine the remaining wreckage to determine the blaze’s origins, with officials noting that a full assessment would take place once the scene was safe and access to the car was possible.

English expressed relief that he and Tina escaped, noting that he had been on his way to buy bread when the engine began to smoke. He described the rescue as happening in a matter of moments and emphasized that it was the quick action of the bystanders and the Tesco driver that saved them from what could have been a catastrophic outcome. He added that he would be consulting fire investigators to determine the precise cause and to understand if, in any way, the vehicle’s maintenance history played a role.

The incident underscores how rapidly a vehicle fire can escalate, particularly with petrol-powered engines. Local authorities urged residents to exercise caution with older vehicles and to report any signs of trouble immediately. Investigations into the exact cause of the Worcester blaze are ongoing, with no determination yet announced about whether mechanical issues, overheating, or other factors contributed to the ignition.

As the community continues to digest what happened, Mr. English and Tina remain in good spirits, grateful for the intervention that brought them to safety. The Tesco driver involved has not yet been publicly identified by the company, but local residents praised the person’s courage and swift action in what could have been a far more serious incident. The investigation into the fire’s origin is expected to continue, with authorities providing updates as they become available.