A father has been hailed as a hero after managing to pull his son out of a burning vehicle just seconds before the engine exploded.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue services attended the scene after getting a call that a vehicle was on fire on Tuesday afternoon at Welwyn Avenue in Ainsdale.
Crews were on hand at the scene at 2:32pm and found a white BMW, owned by Steven Pile, engulfed in flames.
Steven was on the way to pick up one of his sons from school when the BMW X5 burst into flames.
He managed to get their four-year-old son out of the car and carried him away from the fire.
Steve's wife, Shellie Pile said: "He ran from the car and with in seconds the engine exploded and the whole car was on fire.
"We’re so grateful that no one was hurt, everyone is safe and we can’t thank enough the nearby neighbours that came out of their homes to help and the emergency services that helped Steve and our son as this was happening."
Fire crews managed to control the blaze and put it out.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews used a high pressure hose reel jet to extinguish the main body of the fire, and used dry powder on the gearbox compartment.
"It is believed the fire started accidentally. Fire crews left the scene at 3.33pm."
Locals took to social media upon hearing bangs and seeing flames and black smoke rising from the vehicle.
One person said: “I saw this after picking up from the school run, glad everyone involved was okay.”
Pictures taking by the Pile family show the car completely destroyed after the fire was put out.
Shellie said: "It was such a terrifying thing to happen to them both and my husband done a great job of sheltering our son from the severity of what was happening.
"I’m just so grateful that the both of them where not hurt and that no one else around the area was injured.
"The emergency services where brilliant and there was a lovely lady who came out of her home to give our four-year-old an ice cream to cheer him up."
