Jabbeke (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A complete fire destroyed a van that was travelling along the A10 motorway at Jabbeke in West Flanders. The driver detected the smoke signs as he drove his vehicle. He stopped the van on the shoulder before he could exit safely from the vehicle.
The A10 motorway in Jabbeke experienced a van fire that left the vehicle completely ruined. The driver detected smoke during his journey before successfully pulling over to the hard shoulder right before the danger occurred, so he escaped without injury. The destroyed vehicle later received services from towing operators after the incident caused minimal interruptions to traffic on the motorway.
The driver detected smoke at the junction in Jabbeke while his small truck moved on the A10 road toward the coastline. Flames raced across the vehicle after the driver managed to move the car to the emergency stopping area. The onlookers failed to contain the fire despite their attempts to put it out.
The trucks met with success when emergency services halted the burning, but the van was lost because of the flames. The driver, along with others who attempted aid, suffered no injuries at any time.
What are the risks of vehicle fires on highways like the A10?
Vehicle fires near Jabbeke on the A10 exist as a major safety problem within national road traffic systems. Belgian road safety records show that every year, about 1,200 vehicle fires occur, and these events mostly take place on major motorways. Vehicle fire incidents stem primarily from electrical issues affecting 35% of cases and fuel leakage happening in 25% of cases, with engine overheating responsible for 20% of incidents. Such fires result in limited fatalities, but they mostly lead to traffic backlogs and financial expenses.
The A10 highway, which links Brussels to the Belgian coast, attracts more than 50,000 cars daily, thereby increasing the chances of such emergency situations. Vehicle fire department emergency responses happen in 10-15 minutes, but putting out a complete fire in a burning vehicle requires more than 30 minutes, thus causing motorists to experience lane restrictions and journey delays.
Regular maintenance of vehicles and fire extinguishers installed on board helps reduce such risks according to safety recommendations. Public safety officials recommend motorists to stop their vehicles immediately, followed by evacuation, and stay away from attempting to fight extensive fires.
