Fourth vehicle suffers spontaneous combustion in span of two weeks

A motorcar yesterday morning caught fire at the corner of Oronoque and Charlotte streets. This is the fourth vehicle within the span of two weeks to go up in flames.

The incident occurred around 8am while the driver of the vehicle was reportedly transporting three children to school.

According to information received, the driver of the car, along with the occupants, escaped the vehicle with no injuries.

A security officer who was around at the time of the accident, stated that smoke began to emanate from the vehicle’s bonnet, which the driver noticed before pulling the vehicle over and exiting with the children. Shortly after, it went up in flames.

According to the officer, an employee of Jailing Motors tried to put out the fire with the use of a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. A call was subsequently made to the Guyana Fire Service, and within five minutes of the call being placed, a truck appeared and successfully doused the fire.

“We called the fire station and they come about five minutes after. It’s just by the bonnet there catch afire. Apparently like when he de cross over by South Road, like he smell this thing and like he just park de car quick and run out” the officer said.

According to the Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, members of the public should not panic, as the causes of the recent vehicular fires differ.

When Stabroek News visited the scene, the vehicle had already been moved from the area. A minibus last Thursday went up in flames at Hague, West Demerara while last Wednesday, a minibus contracted by the Guyana Power and Light caught afire on Sheriff Street and on the same day, a car caught fire on the western carriageway of Avenue of the Republic.