A car fire at the Triangle on Wednesday evening (Dec 10) caused a short road closure as emergency services dealt with the clear-up.
Photo: Matt Hill

One fire appliance and several police vehicles were on the scene from just after 6pm, with the section of Manor Farm Road in front of the shops behind the clock tower coned off to traffic.

It's understood no one was hurt.

 Photo: Matt Hill

The driver, Raluca, said it all happened very quickly.

“I was at the traffic lights – I was in a queue – so when I passed the … traffic lights and got to this point and my clutch went completely down to the floor, it wouldn’t come up, and then I suddenly felt smoke coming in.

“And then I saw the smoke coming out from the bonnet. I jumped out. And in like three minutes it just caught fire. It was really fast.”

 Photo: Conroy Williams

Brady, who works in the Spar, said he was having a natter with colleagues when a customer came in and told them a car was on fire.

“I hadn’t even noticed, but as soon as I came out I could smell the smoke and I thought… what the hell’s going on. You never really expect it. It’s really shocking."

He added: “I did see the flames when I came out to see what’s going on. I saw everyone outside all their places.”

The vehicle had been towed by 7pm and the road reopened.

• A car also reportedly flipped over on Woodmill Lane on Wednesday evening hitting three parked vehicles. It was suggested on social media no one was hurt, and emergency services were on the scene.

 Photo: bitternepark.info