A GAS cylinder’s safety mechanism stopped a car from exploding in Ravensthorpe.

Firefighters were called to a Ford Sierra on fire on Queen Street at 4.20am today.

They discovered a gas cylinder had been placed inside the car before it was set alight.

A safety measure on the cylinder meant it "vented" during the blaze to stop an explosion.

The car was parked next to garages which could have also gone up in flames.

The fire is still being investigated.

Nobody was injured.