C-Class driver narrowly escapes injury moments before car went up in flames

Motorist was oblivious to fire that had erupted underneath his C350 AMG despite other drivers attempting to warn him

C-Class driver narrowly escapes injury moments before car went up in flames
Library photo © Bigstock

A driver had a lucky escape when his Mercedes C350 AMG estate went up in flames.

It took a police officer to stop John Pearce after he had ignored the warning of a passing motorist who tried to draw his attention to the fire by flashing his lights.

It was only when the officer told Mr Pearce that his car was on fire, that he jumped out and saw smoke billowing from underneath the C-Class.

The car was engulfed with flames minutes later.

Mercedes recalled 75,000 cars in the UK  last year, following reports of fires occurring in certain models.

Mercedes recall

The problem was associated with cars made between 2015 and 2017, whereas Mr Pearce’s motor was six-years-old.

Mr Pearce said: “A policeman pulled out from the police station behind me and started flashing me.

“I stopped and he came up to the window and said ‘the bottom of your car is on fire’.

“We both had a look and I said ‘so it is’.

“There had been no clues or indication that anything was wrong inside the car – I couldn’t smell fire and no warning lights came on.

“I managed to get out and grabbed my speed camera detector but forgot my wallet.

“The whole thing went up in about ten minutes.

“The fire brigade arrived after about 15 minutes and put it out in about three or four minutes but the car was completely destroyed.

“The insurance company are going to take it away to try to find the cause in case it’s a manufacturing fault by Mercedes but I’ve had the car six years.

“Luckily as my wife is away I can use her car for now.”

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