Foreigner escapes blazing car inferno on Phuket roadside

The incident unfolded around 10.50pm on Thursday, October 9, on Wiset Road in Rawai, when residents spotted a Ford sedan engulfed in flames along the roadside and quickly alerted emergency services.

Rawai Municipality firefighters dispatched two water trucks to the scene, arriving to find the front of the vehicle already consumed by fire. Crews battled the blaze for approximately 20 minutes before it was fully extinguished.

The car, registered in Phuket, was destroyed in the fire. Photos from the scene showed the vehicle reduced to a smouldering shell, with the front section most heavily damaged.

The driver, described only as a foreign man, managed to escape the burning vehicle but suffered from smoke inhalation. Rescue workers provided immediate medical assistance before transporting him to Bangkok Hospital Phuket for further treatment.

At the time of reporting, fire investigators were examining the remains of the car to determine the cause of the blaze. It is still unclear whether the fire originated from a mechanical fault, electrical failure, or external source.

Officials have not yet released the man’s identity or confirmed whether the car was in motion at the time of the incident, reported The Phuket News.

Motorists are reminded to regularly inspect their vehicles and remain alert to unusual odours, warning lights, or overheating that could signal a potential fire hazard.

In similar news, a Thai man in Phuket admitted to setting his ex-girlfriend’s car on fire, claiming he acted impulsively and regretted the incident.

Police from Wichit Police Station launched a swift investigation after a 49 year old woman’s red hatchback was torched outside her home on September 1. CCTV footage showed a man in black clothing, a transparent poncho and a motorcycle helmet pouring petrol over the vehicle before igniting it.