Veurne (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A French driver’s car burned on the E40 near Veurne; he removed its plates and fled. Federal police investigate, recalling a similar E17 case near Kortrijk with a stolen van.
As VRT News reported, a car caught fire on the E40 motorway near Veurne after a French driver saw smoke coming from his vehicle while driving toward France. After passing the Veurne exit, he pulled the car onto the hard shoulder to stay safe and avoid blocking traffic.
Shortly after, flames burst out from under the hood and quickly spread across the car. Firefighters arrived fast and managed to put out the blaze, but the car was already burned out and completely ruined by the time they finished.
Why did the French driver remove plates and flee after the E40 car fire near Veurne?
Federal police have started a full investigation into the car fire. They are also checking if there is anything unusual about the car. Officers are still looking for the driver, who was gone before they arrived.
In 2024, on the E17 near Kortrijk, a van burst into flames on the roadside. The driver pulled over safely, but instead of waiting for help, he stripped the plates from the vehicle and disappeared into nearby fields. Police later discovered the van had been reported stolen, and the unexplained fire was linked to attempts to destroy evidence.
