A MAN escaped unhurt after the sports utility vehicle (SUV) he was driving caught fire along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo, Manila, early Thursday morning.
Fire Chief Inspector Reden Alumno of the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) identified the driver as Mark Baeyens, 45, a resident of J.P. Rizal Street, Marikina City.
Alumno said the car involved was a Ford Expedition, 2001 model with plate number ZFJ-777, owned by a certain Zozimo Fajardo Jr., 71, of Sto.Thomas Intramuros, Manila.
“Sabi ng driver, from Marikina on the way sa South Harbor, nakita niya na umuusok at umaapoy na ‘yung sasakyan sa harap. Sunog na sunog ‘yung harap at nawala ‘yung bolo ng baterya. Tinitingnan pa namin kung electrical wiring ang cause,” Alumno said.
Baeyens, who was alone in the car, said that he saw a smoke coming from the front part of the car while traversing the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard corner Gil Puyat Street in Quiapo.
He pulled over the car before reaching Quaipo and got off. He saw flames at the front portion of the vehicle at around 6:17 a.m.
Fire volunteers have declared fired out at 6:27 a.m.
Alumno said the cause and damage of fire are still being investigated. (Erma Edera)