A new Volvo was set alight by flames from a burning stolen car today while armed police raced to reports of gunshots.

The drama unfolded when a stolen Fiat Punto was deliberately set alight in Darren Street, off Dick Lane, Tyersal, this morning.

Its exploding tyres and petrol tank caused fearful residents to ring the police at 1.15am and report a shooting.

The armed-response vehicle arrived and found the Punto in flames. To make matters worse, it had set alight a white £23,000 Volvo beside it belonging to printer Tommy Nelson.

Angry Mr Nelson told what happened in the shocking incident which turned his 2013 plate car into a write-off.

“I can’t believe it – we’ve only had it three weeks,” he said, standing beside its scorched doors and melted plastic.

He, wife Sammi, 26, and daughter Annie, six, were asleep when the Fiat exploded behind their home.

“We were woken by neighbours screaming ‘Get up, your car’s on fire’,” said Mr Nelson, 25.

“I raced downstairs and round to the car which was already on fire beside the Punto. It was too hot to get close to and definitely too far gone to risk trying to rescue it.”

He rang police and the fire brigade and they were on the scene in minutes.

“I met the armed officers coming up the snicket and they asked me about gunshots,” he said.

“I told them it was probably the Punto’s tyres popping.” Mr Nelson told how his daughter Annie had fallen in love with the dazzling white new car.

“It’s a mobility car as Annie has autism, cannot walk well and has breathing issues,” he said.

A fire crew from Bradford station also attended the explosive incident, said watch commander Alan Holdsworth.

“It appears the stolen Punto had been set on fire and was so close to the other vehicle that it also caught alight,” he said. “Armed police were there because of reports of gunfire.”

A police spokesman said a patrolling car with weapons officers had been directed to the address after a resident reported hearing two loud gunshots.

“They found the stolen Punto in flames and the other vehicle,” the spokesman said. “Because of that we are are now investigating this as car theft and arson.”