Manfredonia. This afternoon, around 4.30pm, a car caught fire independently on Strada Statale 89 Garganica, near Amendola, creating moments of tension among passing motorists. The accident, fortunately, did not cause any injuries, but required the immediate intervention of the Fire Brigade and the Carabinieri to make the area safe and restore normal traffic.
According to initial reconstructions, the vehicle involved caught fire without any obvious collision or external impact, suggesting that the cause of the fire may be linked to a mechanical or electrical problem. The motorist, noticing the smoke starting to come out of the bonnet, promptly pulled over to the edge of the road and abandoned the car, saving himself.
The Fire Brigade immediately arrived on the scene, alerted by other motorists and the driver himself. Thanks to their promptness, the fire was put out relatively quickly, preventing the flames from spreading to the surrounding vegetation or other passing vehicles. The Carabinieri, who arrived shortly after, managed the road system, temporarily diverting traffic to allow the Fire Brigade to operate safely.
The extinguishing operations lasted about an hour. Firefighters used firefighting foam to smother the flames and cool the vehicle’s engine, ensuring there was no further risk of re-ignition. The vehicle was subsequently removed from the road with the help of a tow truck, thus allowing the roadway to be reopened and normal circulation to be restored.
The driver of the car, shocked but unharmed, provided initial testimony that could be useful for the investigation.
The accident caused slowdowns and inconveniences to traffic on the SS89 Garganica, one of the main arteries of the Gargano, used daily by commuters and tourists. However, thanks to the prompt response of the emergency teams, the inconveniences were contained and traffic was quickly restored.
