A BARRY father-of-two has been given a big kiss by his wife for driving his car through flames to stop an explosion.

Roger Thomas Jones, 67, shot into action after criminals torched a vehicle outside his Burlington Street home.

He was woken at 4.30am by his neighbour Bill Champ who said a car parked in their street had caught fire and the blaze was threatening to spread to Roger's car.

Mr Thomas-Jones told the News: "The fire was really raging. It looked like something from the movies. I could see the paint on my car blistering, and next door's windows started cracking. My main concern was that there was a full tank of petrol in my car, and all the cars in the street were parked so close, if mine went up, they all would.

"Not only that, but I would lose the front of my house."

Without thinking, Roger grabbed his keys, and dressed only in a t-shirt and underpants, drove his car through the flames to the other side of the road.

He added: "My car is only an old Ford, but I was so worried about my wife and children."

The fire brigade were on the scene within minutes, and brought the flames under control.

Roger's wife Sarian, 42, said: "The fire chief who came told Roger if he hadn't moved the car when he did, it would have been a lot worse.

"When I think about it, it makes me feel ill. At one and the same time, I think he was very silly but I also think he's a hero and very brave."

A spokesman for Barry police station said: "We are treating this fire as suspicious. Arson is a serious matter, especially in this case as it was so close to residential housing. We appeal to anyone with any information about this incident to come forward."

If you have any information about this incident, telephone Barry police station on 01446 734451 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111