CAR IN FLAMES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23703, 10 January 1939, Page 9

CAR IN FLAMES

AN ALARMING EXPERIENCE OCCUPANTS LEAP TO SAFETY (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Jan. 9. Two holiday motorists returning to Auckland had a fortunate escape from serious injury when their light motor car burst into flames while they were travelling along the main north highway about three miles from Warkworth on Saturday afternoon. The travellers were Mr Charles Albert Nielsen, a garage attendant, of Sandringham, and Miss Joyce Bartrum, and they were forced to jump from the car while it was still moving to escape the flames blowing back from the engine. , After refilling the tank with benzine at Warkworth. the travellers were going down a slight incline at about ,20 miles an hour when the accident occurred. A cool spray of benzine blowing up through the floor boards was the first indication of trouble and almost before they had time to realise what was happening the inflammable liquid burst into flames. Mr Nielsen leaned forward to reach the hand brake but the heat of the flames was too great and he had to give up the attempt. Shouting to his companion to jump from the car, he himself managed to jump to the road on his own side. Both suffered burns on the legs and bruises and abrasions from their jump to safety. The fact that they were wearing shorts probably saved them from more serious burning, for the flaming benzine on their legs was soon extinguished. The car continued down the incline for some distance, and finally ran. into a bank, where the fire burned itself out. Camping gear and clothing to the value of about £2O was lost, and the vehicle itself, which was not insured, was a total loss. Passing motorists gave Mr Nielsen and Miss Bartrum a lift back to Warkworth, and they were able to continue their trip to Auckland later.