A COUPLE'S new car came to life on its own, burst into flames and hit a tree.
Ian Mallinson's three-week-old Volvo V50 was written off in the fire outside his Hough Green home at 11.30pm on Friday.
His wife Julie's BMW Z3 was parked inches away and was badly scorched by the blaze, which is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Mechanics say the electrical fault could also have sent a live current to the starter motor, causing the engine to start.
Mr Mallinson said: 'We had been out to the cinema and parked the Volvo as usual next to the BMW.
'We had a cup of tea and were just going up to bed when I saw the reflection of flames through the window.
'The car engine was actually running. I had parked it in gear and, although the hand brake was still on, the car had enough torque to drag itself forward until it hit a tree.
'Even then the wheels were still running and started driving into the ground.'
A crew from Chester Fire Station extinguished the blaze.
Volvo are investigating what may have caused the fault.
