A hero motorist suffered severe burns saving his 19-month-old granddaughter in the back seat when his brand new hybrid car burst into flames and then exploded.

Retired engineer David Butler, 67, sprang into action after his wife Anne, also 67, saw smoke and turned to see the rear seat - where the toddler was strapped in a baby seat - ablaze 'as if someone had poured petrol on a barbecue'.

Stopping immediately, Mr Butler frantically tried to reach granddaughter Lilly but the rear door of the Volvo XC40 - which can run off both petrol and plug-in electric power - would not open.

Despite smoke and flames, he jumped back into the front seat and managed to reach around and free the toddler.

In a Facebook post, Mr Butler said: 'Fortunately, I managed to feel for the seat release and dragged her out of the car.

 'As I did this, the hybrid battery exploded, igniting the fuel tank and filling the car with flames. I managed to get out but was on fire.'

Two road maintenance workers helped Mr Butler pull his granddaughter free.

He was taken to hospital with 60 per cent burns, and Lilly also needed hospital treatment.

He has now warned other motorists who believe electric cars are completely safe to 'think again'.

Lilly's mother Sasha Caffrey, 32, paid tribute to his heroism, writing: 'What an amazing man.

'Cannot thank you enough Dave Butler for getting our Lilly out of that car.'

In a further social media post showing a bandaged Lilly in hospital eating ice cream, Ms Caffrey, the partner of Mr and Mrs Butler's youngest son Terry, 32, wrote: 'You saved our little girl from an awful situation. 

'You are our hero and we hope you get better real soon. Lilly needs her granddad cuddles.'

Lilly's maternal grandfather Michael Caffrey, 59, said: 'It's terrifying what happened and (what might have happened) doesn't bear thinking about if Dave and those two lads hadn't got her out of the car.

'It's shocking that this can happen with an electric car. You have to ask whether they are safe. It's very scary.

'Our daughter Sasha rang on the way to hospital and her heart was breaking.'

Describing Monday's dramatic incident, in Hindley Green, Greater Manchester, on Facebook, Mr Butler said he had only taken delivery of the £40,000 Volvo XC40 petrol-electric hybrid the previous week after a six-month wait.

He said: 'The car exploded whilst carrying my 19-month-old granddaughter and wife.

'When she saw smoke, I tried to open the rear door but it would not open. I jumped back in to rescue the little one but in less than 10 seconds the car was filled with smoke and I could not see her.

'Fortunately, I managed to feel for the seat release and dragged her out of the car. As I did this, the hybrid battery exploded igniting the fuel tank. I managed to get out but was on fire.

'My granddaughter is in a children's hospital and I am in a burns unit with 60% burns to my arm, head and back. 

'So, if you still think that electric cars are safe, then think again.'

Mr Butler, who faced an operation on Wednesday, also thanked the road workers who assisted with the rescue, the 'kindness' of people who helped his wife and injured granddaughter at the scene, and the emergency services.

Mrs Butler, who escaped unhurt, said: 'I smelled smoke, and turned to see the back of the car ablaze as if someone had poured petrol on a barbecue.

'We were all lucky to make it out alive.'

Mr Butler and his wife have four grown-up children and it is understood they have at least four grandchildren.

The couple's neighbours in Leigh, Greater Manchester, told how Mr Butler is a 'lovely man'.

Joseph Henry, 81, who lives nearby, said: 'Dave's a lovely man who dotes on his grandchildren. They are lovely family.

'He only picked up his electric car last week. I won't be getting one, that's for sure.'

The vehicle involved is understood to be a 'mild hybrid' which has only a small battery and electric motor, used to boost the petrol engine.

The car does not need plugging in, unlike full hybrids, as the battery recharges by harnessing energy from the braking system as it is driven. 

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders moved to reassure owners of hybrid cars.

A spokesman for the trade body, representing carmakers operating in the UK, said: ‘Safety is the number one priority for the automotive industry and vehicle fires are rare.

‘All vehicles on sale in the UK, including mild hybrid combustion engine cars, such as in this case, must comply with applicable legislation and stringent international technical and safety standards.’

Volvo has offered support to the family and is investigating. A spokesman said: 'Safety is a top priority for Volvo Cars and we are taking this incident very seriously.'