SUDDEN FLAMES.

Feilding Star, Volume 4, Issue 729, 11 March 1926, Page 5

SUDDEN FLAMES.

MOTOR CAR BURNED. OCCUPANTS’ NARROW ESCAPE. Through a ear suddenly bursting into Ha me on the Carrington road, New Plymouth, two young men, Messrs Percy Dowell and Thomas Dean, both of New Plymouth, had n narrow escape from being seriously burned, and also from being injured when they leaped out of the moving car on to the road.

They left New Plymouth, shortly after 0 p.m. on a short run into the country. On the town side of Ratanui Hill they were travelling at between 15 and 20 miles an hour when suddenly flames shot up, apparently from underneath the foot hoard. .Mr Dean sprang out. of the ear on one side and Mr Dowell, who was driving, attempted to leap out on the other. He had had the presence of mind to shut off the benine, but this loot caught in the brake. After being singed about the arm 'he tripped and stumbled on to tlie side of the road, the»ear striking him as it shot over the edge.of the metal on to the grass. He received minor injuries to his leg and arm but was able to receive attention a.tpi house nearby. The men walked hack to town. The ear, a five-sea ter, ras completely burned. it was insured for £75.