A car has been completely destroyed by fire following an incident in Ryde which saw residents awoken from their beds during the early hours of this morning (Friday).
Retained firefighters were mobilised to Harding Road in Oakfield at 03:13 following multiple phone calls to fire control reporting the blaze.
It took only a few minutes for Ryde’s appliance to arrive on scene, but nothing could be done to save the Vauxhall Zafira, which was well alight.
The vehicle has been 100% destroyed.
Firefighters used 2 breathing apparatus and 1 hose reel to contain and extinguish the fire.
Although the fire service say the incident is not thought to be suspicious in nature, Police are present in the area this morning.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service remained on scene for almost 2 hours dampening down the charred remains.
Vauxhall previously recalled Zafira (B) cars following a spate of car fires affecting the model up and down the country. Island Echo has previously reported on at least 3 car fires involving Zafiras.
UPDATE @ 08:45 – Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that they were called to the scene, but the incident is not being treated as suspicious. The investigation has now been filed unless any further information comes to light.
Not suspicious in Harding Road, that’s a rarity.
Haha, years ago it used to be said you didn’t even feel safe going through Harding Road on the bus, but it seems to have been okay for years now, I’ve walked through it often after dark, seems fine. I think a lot of people there own their own houses now.
Cars rarely combust when not in use, so I suggest other motives and reasons are closely investigated. A lot of drug growing, dealing, and rival competion abounds in working or underclass areas on this Island..
A lot of assumptions there about ‘underclass’ areas of the Island?! What class are we under exactly?
Whilst that may be so, the organisers of such activities live in posh and well heeled areas of The Island, even sending their “Hermione’s and Ralfs to Ryde private” with ill gotten gains, but then again always the same is it not? it in “your huge assumption by the way” of “drug crime under belly” The rich get richer off of the “lower classes, workings… Rumour has it however” sorry to burst your class bubble”this vehicle has bedn the target of tyres being slashed/let down and sprayed with glitter paint etc., would be good if the police could act on these “rumours” and do some real Plod work, rather than say file is closed…!.
Be interesting to know what time of the night, or day, that these other Zafiras spontaneously ignited.
Police really out here earning their keep. I suppose the direct moonlight on the car was the cause.
Obviously a case of spontaneous combustion. Happens with hotels in Sandown too.
100% destroyed? looks 92.9981% to me
Don’t worry guys, the owner of that car will be supplied with another one soon enough. She loves a good freebie