Man shocked as electric car suddenly bursts into flames in his driveway in Aberdeen

A man has spoken of his shock after his electric car suddenly burst into flames in his driveaway as he returned home from a walk.

Derek Leslie had just walked through the rear gate of his home on Auchmill Terrace in Aberdeen on Sunday, October 6, when he heard a noise come from his red Vauxhall Corsa.

The 64-year-old noticed smoke billowing from underneath the two and a half year old car, located close to the battery.

Mr Leslie told STV News: “It was so quick. I was just out walking the dog.

“The car is just parked at the back gate. When I went into the back gate I just heard this bang.

“I thought someone had thrown something at the car. I saw smoke billow out from underneath the car where the battery is.

The battery appears to have melted following the fire Derek Leslie

“I called 999 and luckily the station is only five minutes away. It could have been a lot worse.

“I could have been stuck in traffic or anything. It’s just lucky I got home when I did because it could’ve been completely up in flames beside the house.”

Images taken of the car blaze show fire bursting from the bottom of the vehicle before emergency services arrived on the scene.

Scottish Fire and Rescue dispatched four crews to the scene, who extinguished the blaze.

Images of the aftermath show the destroyed interior of the car and what appears to be the battery completely melted.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 3.24pm on Sunday, October 6, to reports of a vehicle fire on Auchmill Terrace, Aberdeen.

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the scene where firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

“There are no reported casualties, and crews remain in attendance.”

Police Scotland were made aware of the incident at around 3.25pm but confirmed there was no need for officers to attend.

Vauxhall has been contacted for comment.