Renault Bryanston have responded regarding the Renault Scenic that caught fire and burned in a parking lot next to Conrad drive, Blairgowrie on the morning of 16 November (see previous article). No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is still unknown. Dealer Principal at Renault Bryanston Chris Jordan explained on 17 November that the Renault Scenic has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, which is the highest safety rating possible by international standards.
“The Scenic has a huge reputation for safety,” he said. It was also once Renault’s most-sold car. Despite this, he said that the car could have caught fire for many reasons, including defective parts, poor maintenance, a ruptured fuel hose or lack of servicing. He said that he wanted to know the Vehicle Identification Number (Vin) or speak to the owner of the vehicle and learn of its servicing history to try determine the cause of the fire.
According to Randburg Fire Station firefighter Henry Moleseletlape, who put the fire out, a woman was driving the car along Conrad Drive when she saw smoke rising from her bonnet. She quickly parked in the parking lot at Manor House and ran out of her vehicle. An “explosion” ensued and the vehicle caught fire in spectacular fashion, said resident Kristyna Eliyahu, who was driving past when she heard an “explosion and screaming.”
Eliyahu came to the scene and took photos of the burning vehicle before firefighters asked her to leave for safety reasons. Questions were sent to Linden Police Station spokesperson Carol Mulamu regarding the cause of the fire.
Details: Randburg Fire Station 011 787 1351/2; Renault Bryanston 011 707 9000.
