Easter Road car fire: Driver seen 'jumping out' of vehicle before it bursts into flames

A man was seen leaping out of a car in an Edinburgh street after the vehicle he was driving started smoking before bursting into flames.

Witness Harvey Blackmore said he saw smoke coming from a car that stopped at a red traffic light on Abbey Mount, near Easter Road, on Tuesday night at about 9.30pm.

The driver was then seen making a quick exit before sparks flew and the car was fully ablaze.

Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News Mr Blackmore said: "His car appeared to be smoking somewhat and then there were some sparks as he jumped out and quickly moved to the sidewalk.

Car seen bursting into flames on Easter Road in Edinburgh picture: Harvey Blackmore

"Very shortly after this, after smoke started billowing from under the bonnet, a small flame spat out from the front right corner of the car, which quickly grew.”

Mr Blackmore said a member of the public assisted by directing traffic away from Easter Road before police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the scene.

"There was quite an inferno going by the time the fire brigade arrived,” he said.

"They took a moment to assess the situation and then extinguished the blaze with a hose. They spent a little time then ripping off the bonnet and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished."

Pictures of the scene, taken by Mr Blackmore, show the vehicle engulfed in flames and emergency services in attendance.

He added: “The police closed off the road and consulted with the man [driver] who appeared to be in his early 30s.

“After the fire brigade left, the police waited for a recovery truck to come and load the car on to a low-bed to take it away, sweeping up the debris and melted plastic."

It is understood the driver did not suffer any injuries in the incident and he was picked up by a friend shortly after talking with police.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were at the scene and closed the road to arrange for the damaged vehicle to be recovered.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We were alerted at 9.17pm on Tuesday, April 13 to reports of a car on fire on Abbey Mount near Easter Road, Edinburgh.

"Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the scene, where firefighters extinguished the fire and made the area safe before leaving.

"There were no reported casualties."

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