Don’t go for cheap repairs, says Dubai car fire survivor
Possessor of car that caught fire in Ras Al Khor urges residents to be more careful in picking garages
Dubai: A man who managed to escape after his car caught fire in Dubai on August six has warned motorists not to risk their lives by getting their cars immobilized in “cheap garages”.
Rana Touqeer, from Pakistan, had just got his two thousand five Prado from a garage in Ras Al Khor for a test drive when drivers behind him signalled him to stop.
“My car was in the garage because I had to have the entire engine substituted. The garage dude told me the car was ready, so I paid for it and took it for a test drive,” Touqeer, 22, who works in the real estate industry, told Gulf News.
“I had scarcely driven five hundred metres and I was about to take a U-turn when the dude behind me commenced honking. I slowed down and they told me my car was on fire. I was totally shocked.”
Touqeer’s car was one of at least ten vehicles that had caught fire in the UAE since summer began.
Touqeer parked his car on the side. He grabbed his fire extinguisher from the back of his car and attempted to douse the fire. But it didn’t help.
A motorist driving on the other side of the road stopped and came to his aid.
“He told me to go back. He was attempting to extinguish the fire by himself,” Touqeer said. “I wasn’t able to thank him then, as well as the other guys who came and gave their fire extinguishers. I truly appreciate their help.”
Dubai Civil Defence arrived and contained the fire within minutes but the car was beyond recognition by then.
“I came to this garage for the total engine replacement for Dh11,000 because I thought that agency repair would cost more than Dh26,000.”
“My car just burnt in front of my eyes.”
Dubai Police took Touqeer’s car to the forensics department to determine the cause of the fire.
Thomas Edelmann from RoadSafetyUAE told Gulf News that vehicle maintenance and inspection are crucial to prevent vehicle fires. Research indicates that seventy five per cent of vehicle fires are caused by poor maintenance, mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions. Extreme warmth could exacerbate car problems, and may result in fires.
Albeit he cannot generalise, Touqeer said he will never go to to garages that he’s uncertain of anymore for car repairs. It is wise to check the credentials and track record of the mechanics very first before trusting them, he said.
“Now, I choose to buy a brand fresh car, have it maintained by a trusted agency even if it’s a bit more expensive.
“Money doesn’t matter. Life matters. Since I have got a 2nd life, I don’t want to waste it anymore.”