A elderly Co Antrim couple fear having to demolish at least part of their home after a car crashed into it causing structural damage.
The husband and wife in their 70s were left shocked but uninjured when the car slammed into their Lisburn home waking them from their sleep.
Police said that around 3 am the black Ford Focus crashed through the garden wall and rammed into the side of the detached house and moments later burst into flames.
By the time the emergency services arrived there was no sign of the car driver - and surprisingly given the damage - no indication of injury.
A structural engineer examined damage to the house in Laurelhill Road and his initial report prompted concerns for the pensioners that at least part of their home for 40 years may need to be demolished and rebuilt.
The PSNI said it was investigating the accident to establish who was behind the wheel of the car -they have not said whether the vehicle had been reported stolen.