Man’s terror after car unexpectedly burst into flames on commute home

The damage to the car after the fire. Pic: Kevin Brockbank

A car burst into flames on a busy road near Preston yesterday afternoon.

Sean Pilling, 56, who lives near Cleveleys, was the owner of the Honda Accord that was significantly damaged in the incident on Fleetwood Road near Wesham.

The Morrisons employee was on his way home from work when the engine management light flicked on and smoke began to come from the car. This was at around 3.35pm yesterday (April 5).

He told Blog Preston: “I lost power, I had no brakes, and had to use the handbrake to stop. My engine management light came on, then some smoke from the back of the car.

“I managed to pull in off the motorway and then my car burst into flames and I managed to get out.”

He said he is unsure what caused the fire.

The scene of the fire with Lancashire Fire & Rescue in attendance. Pic: Kevin Brockbank

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire & Rescue said: “At 15:35 on 05 April, one fire engine from Wesham attended a vehicle fire on Fleetwood Road.”

“The incident involved one vehicle that was well alight when the crew arrived. Firefighters used two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, and small tools to extinguish the fire. They were in attendance for approximately an hour.”

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