Car destroyed after bursting into flames in Preston street

The driver of the Vauxhall Zafira managed to climb out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in the blaze, after smoke began pouring from the air vents.

Certain Zafira cars had been recalled this year because of a fire risk, but a Vauxhall spokesman said they had not yet been made aware of this incident.

Firefighters believe the driver had been with his family in the car in St George’s Road, Deepdale, when he noticed smoke coming out of the vents.

Crew manager Mick Birks said: “He pulled in to St Cuthbert’s Road because he knew something wasn’t right.

“He pulled into a parking bay and they got out of the car and called the fire service.

“By the time we got there, it was going quite well and, because of the heat from the fire, it damaged two of the properties adjacent to the car.

“There was heat and smoke damage to the front door, I think one of the windows had cracked, some of the plastic guttering and drain pipe had suffered as well.”
One fire engine was called to the scene, and teams used a hose reel to put out the blaze.

The car was destroyed by the fire, which broke out at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Crews were in attendance for 40 minutes, and nobody was hurt.

Mr Birks said, because of the make and model of the vehicle, officers believed the fire had been due to a fault with the car.

A Vauxhall spokesman said bosses would like to inspect the vehicle, once the owner had contacted them. He said: “As yet, we have not been notified of this incident.

“However, as soon as we can make contact with the customer and their insurance company, we will investigate the vehicle.”