A man suffered severe burns after his car exploded in New Castle Wednesday afternoon.

Sandy Wallace was driving on South Ray Street when a nearby homeowner informed him that his car had caught fire.  

Residents say Wallace stopped his car at an upcoming stop sign; however, his car exploded and was engulfed in flames when he opened his door.

Wallace escaped from the car and suffered third degree burns on his arms and shoulders.

He was taken by ambulance to Jameson Hospital where he was flown by helicopter to another facility for further treatment.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.