A HEROIC dad drove a blazing oil tanker to safety after it had been deliberately smashed into a house.

Darren Fletcher leapt into action after the fully-laden fuel tanker was driven into the bungalow just yards from a school yesterday morning.

The tanker driver was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he careered into the home of his estranged wife in Wool before setting it ablaze.

He sprinted from the scene and kicked a passer-by who tried to apprehend him.

The man being held by police was named as 51-year-old Hugh Billington, and was captured following a three-hour manhunt.

His wife, Christine Billington, was in the house at the time of the incident but escaped unhurt.

Brave Mr Fletcher, of Wareham, had just taken his daughter to school when he saw the tanker plough into the bungalow in Folly Lane, Wool.

He then jumped in to the tanker to move it out of the way of the flames.

His mother Elsie, 68, of Bells Orchard Lane, Wareham, said: “I don’t know whether he is brave or stupid.

“I don’t know whether I am proud or not. I am just so glad he’s okay.

“He took his daughter to school and saw the tanker and did what he had to.

“Afterwards, he called in and told us that he had been to the doctor and was told to go to the hospital.

“He said his face felt all tingly and he was really hot.

“He’s been given oxygen and I don’t know when he will be coming home but hopefully it will be soon.”

The Balfour Beatty rail worker, of Wareham, was being treated at Poole Hospital for smoke inhalation and heat exposure.

Meanwhile, Andy Neal, aged 42, also saw the commotion and jumped in to help whilst on the school run to St Marys Catholic First School.

The double-glazer, of Cologne Road, Bovington, said: “As we got in to Folly Lane, my partner Shelley and I saw the tanker in the front of the bungalow.

“I couldn’t go through the front because of the tanker so I climbed over the fence and went in to the back.

“There was really heavy black smoke, but I found a dog and passed it over the fence to Shelley.

“Then I tried to use a hose pipe I found in the garden to tackle some of the flames, but it wasn’t much good.

“I could hear a fire extinguisher and all of a sudden the flames went out because the fire service had got there.

“My first thought was if there was anyone inside, but the woman had already managed to escape.”

A spokesperson for St Mary’s Catholic First School, just a short distance from the scene, said children were in the building when the incident happened and had not been affected.

Around 30 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze.

The fire was put out at 9.40am, but officers remained on scene as a police helicopter searched for the alleged perpetrator, who was arrested in the village at around noon.

Dorset Police said the impact of the tanker caused “substantial” damage to the property.

A police spokesperson said: “There was no report of any injuries and the sole female occupant is safe and well.

"A 51-year-old man from Yeovil has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is helping police with inquiries. It is believed he is known to the occupant of the house.

“We are appealing for witnesses and anyone with more information to come forward.

“There was a number of people in the area who may have information that could help the investigation.”

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.

Neighbours warned to leave their homes

Dorset Police said the impact of the tanker caused “substantial” damage to the property.

A police spokesperson said: “There was no report of any injuries and the sole female occupant is safe and well.”

A 51-year-old man from Yeovil has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is helping police with inquiries. It is believed he is known to the occupant of the house.

“We are appealing for witnesses and anyone with more information to come forward.

“There was a number of people in the area who may have information that could help the investigation.”

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.