Michael’s Smart fire may stay a mystery

Thursday 21st January 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

Michael Le Lacheur with the remains of his Smart car that burst into flames as he drove. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0903713)

THE fire that destroyed a Smart car looks likely to remain a mystery.

Mercedes-Benz yesterday declined say whether they would be investigating the incident in which 69-year-old Michael Le Lacheur had to abandon the car just moments before it was engulfed by flames.

A passing motorist had alerted Mr Le Lacheur who got out and ran up the road to escape a possible explosion.

The seven- or eight-year-old car was destroyed within about 15 minutes.

‘There’s nothing left. It’s burnt to a cinder – even the engine,’ said Mr Le Lacheur.

‘I’ve never seen a car go up so quick.’

A day on from Tuesday’s blaze, Mr Le Lacheur still had no idea why it had caught fire.

‘It must have been an electrical fault or something. It had a full tank of fuel. It was lucky it didn’t blow up like I expected it to – but it went with a bang,’ he said.

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1
apollo8979

January 22, 2010 at 6:10 am

I know of at least 4 similar incidents with Smart Cars in the UK. There must be a manufacture issues and Mercedes-Benz will just try and protect its profit line so will not bother to investigate!!!

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2
Ray

January 22, 2010 at 11:01 am

I could have done with Michael just outside of my driveway when the snow was here

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