Ram raiders smashed into a remote village post office before torching the vehicle while it was still embedded into the front of the 17th century building.
Postmistress Miranda Amies and her husband Dave were asleep upstairs when the 4X4, which is believed to have been stolen, crashed into the post office and village store in the picturesque square in Ryhall, Rutland.
After unsuccessfully trying to restart the 4X4, the thieves set fire to the vehicle while the couple and their pet cat were inside the building.
Only the prompt arrival of firefighters from Stamford, just over the border in Lincolnshire, prevented the fuel tank exploding and causing more damage.
Postmistress Miranda said: "We live upstairs and were woken at 3.27am by a large bang and the alarms going off. The 4X4 had rammed backwards into the shop, which took out a window and part of a wall.
"I was terrified. He started the engine to have another go and when he failed he set fire to it. The 4X4 was burned out, but thankfully the fire brigade got here pretty quickly, before it exploded, causing more horrendous damage to the shop than it has already."
She added: "I've been selling newspapers from the kitchen door - it's all we're able to do today. We're alright now, we're being looked after and we are getting support from villagers.
"Thankfully, we've been told by a buildings inspector that the building is structurally sound, but we had a lot of nice Christmas produce which was destroyed and we're going to need a new wall and window.
"Apparently, someone saw two blokes running away, described as fairly burly looking, dressed all in black. Lincolnshire Police were the closest when it happened as they were in the area and they stayed with us until Leicestershire Police arrived."
She added: "Thankfully, everyone is safe, including the cat which was in the room above. As long as the building is safe we're hoping to reopen tomorrow."
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "A vehicle hit a building in The Square, in Ryhall shortly before 3.30am in an attempted burglary. The vehicle caught fire and was left in situ.
"No-one was injured, no arrests were made and enquiries are continuing."