By Callum Ludwig
A man was airlifted to hospital in critical condition after his car burst into flames in Warburton on Wednesday 9 October.
The driver in his 50s was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital from Wesburn.
A CFA spokesperson confirmed three CFA units from Warburton and WesburnMillgrove responded to a car fire on Warburton Highway in Warburton at around 12.49pm.
“Crews discovered car was fully involved in fire,” they said.
“Warburton Highway was closed in both directions. The incident was deemed under control at 1.13pm and safe at 1.36pm.”
The fire is not being treated as suspicious and an investigation is ongoing.
Warburton CFA Captain Ron McIntosh said the Warburton brigade turned out with their pumper and salvage vehicles, while Wesburn brought their tanker.
“By the time we arrived the occupant had suffered burns but was in the hands of the police, so they [Wesburn/MIllgrove CFA] fought the fire from their side and we fought it from our side,” he said.
“It was right near a power pole as well which also added to the inconvenience of putting water on the fire.”
Traffic was diverted around the incident due to the closure of the Highway until about 3.30pm, with a tow truck arriving to remove the vehicle shortly before.
Mr McIntosh said from what they can gather, the fire seems to have come from a leak in the man’s car.
“It seems like the gentleman may have filled up his gas and it sounds to us, until further investigations anyway, it sounds like the cylinder may have leaked into the cap of the car and then he lit a cigarette as he was driving through Warby,” he said.
“Just be aware when you are filling up your vehicles to have a bit of a smell once you have filled up your vehicle, because you never know, it may be what just triggers you to go ‘something’s not quite right’ before driving,”
“[If a fire starts in your car] Pull over as soon as you can and get out, don’t wait because these things happen in a split second and you can go from being in a nice condition to a very bad way very quickly and don’t smoke while driving.”
