A STOLEN car which had been driven on three wheels exploded as fire fighters tackled the blaze.

Fire fighters arrived at Dukes Meadow, off Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, at 4.17am to find the silver Ford Mondeo alight.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated but arson is not being ruled out.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We found a stolen car torched and dumped. While we were tackling the fire there was a large explosion from the burning vehicle. Fortunately, we were tackling it from some distance but remarkably there was no major spread of debris as a result."

Fire fighters were carrying out a more detailed examination later yesterday morning to discover the cause.

Mr Mackie said the car appeared to have damage to its front and may have been involved in a road traffic accident.

The car also had one tyre missing at the front and there were scratch marks on the road where the wheel rim had dug in, indicating that it had been driven from the Blackmore Park area of Malvern.

A spokesman for West Mercia police said there was a possibility that the fire started as a result of friction between the wheel rim and the road but that arson was not being ruled out.

He added: "It was a stolen car. We have no idea why it was being driven on three wheels and for some distance. We are still looking at the cause of the fire. It could have been started deliberately or it could have been friction."

If you have information which could help police call 0845 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The crime incident number is 70S/050407.