### Faithful Dog Alerts Owner to Early Morning Blaze in Cardiff
A retired handyman from Cardiff is crediting his pet dog with saving him from potential danger after a dramatic vehicle fire erupted outside his home in the early hours. Anthony Fermandel, aged 71, was roused from sleep at around 4am by his dog’s persistent attempts to get his attention, only to discover moments later that his car was engulfed in towering flames right outside his window.
In a quiet neighbourhood where, in his words, “the worst that’s happened is the odd bin fire”, Anthony never expected to face such a crisis. He’d lived along Pen-Y-Lan Road for 15 years with little incident, making the ordeal all the more shocking. “I was asleep and then woke up because I heard a loud noise outside—almost like someone slamming a door,” he recalled. “I thought it was just someone going off to an early shift. Then my dog started rattling the gate to the bedroom. I told him to settle down, that it was too early, but he wouldn’t stop. That’s when I noticed the glow and realised there were flames outside.”
Peering through his window, Anthony witnessed a frightening sight. Flames leapt so high they reached the branches of a nearby tree. Emergency services had already begun to arrive, blue lights flashing as fire crews assessed the scene. His prized Jaguar XFS, bought only two years ago, was being consumed by the blaze. “I kept that car in perfect nick,” he told reporters. “It was the sports model—the kind I always wanted. But now it’s completely destroyed.”
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received a call at 4:32am reporting a vehicle fire on Pen-Y-Lan Road. Firefighters from Roath were dispatched and managed to bring the fire under control within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles and properties. “Crews extinguished the fire using a single hose reel jet and the incident was closed just after 5:20am,” said a fire service spokesperson.
Anthony, still coming to terms with his loss, stressed that he’d never had trouble with others in the area and didn’t believe he was targeted maliciously. “I’ve got no enemies; everyone gets on in this street,” he said. The incident has left him dependent on public transport at least temporarily, unable to visit his daughter in Penarth as he would have done regularly.
Adding further insult, Anthony had recently paid £600 for a new MOT and filled the diesel tank just days before the fire. Despite this bad fortune, he reflected on how the outcome could have been far worse. “At least it was diesel—if it had been petrol and the flames had reached the car parked only three feet behind, it could have caused a major explosion,” he noted, his relief clear amid the frustration.
The aftermath has been equally trying for Anthony, who is now awaiting news from his insurance provider and has reported the incident to local police. While investigations are ongoing, the cause of the blaze remains unconfirmed.
Local residents have been left unsettled by the incident, many remarking on how rare such events are in the typically peaceful area. Fire crews have urged anyone with information regarding the fire to contact authorities, emphasising the importance of community vigilance.
The story highlights the unpredictable nature of emergencies and, in Anthony’s case, the invaluable presence of a loyal companion. Without his dog’s timely intervention, the situation might have escalated further before help arrived. As Anthony comes to terms with the loss of his beloved car, it’s clear his bond with his canine friend is stronger than ever.
Investigations continue into the cause of the fire, and authorities are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the early hours of 14 May to come forward.