Residents report hearing multiple explosions after a car burst into flames near a Dundee City Council building on Sunday.
Firefighters were sent to reports of a car fire on the city’s Harefield Road shortly after 8pm.
Those living nearby said flames began shooting into the air near Dundee City Council’s Marchbanks building.
Police Scotland are now investigating the incident which occurred at the rear of three dilapidated retail units.
Beechwood resident, Margaret Gowans feared nearby trees were going to be set alight as smoke began billowing towards her home.
The 70-year-old said: “My neighbour telephoned me to say what was happening outside my address.
“The flames were big; they were shooting over the trees beside the old shops just off Harefield Road.
‘There was at least four bangs’
“I heard an explosion and there was at least four bangs.
“Two fire engines arrived and one of the crews went down a driveway beside Marchbanks.
“I was concerned the trees were maybe going to go up as they were so close to where the fire was.
“The smoke from the flames was being carried towards Beechwood.
“Police were also in attendance at the scene, I think a pedestrian had raised the alarm.”
Vehicle ‘was already damaged’
One local resident who did not wish to be named believed the vehicle was already in a state of disrepair before the blaze.
He said: “That vehicle that’s sitting on that land was already damaged but it’s suffered further damage from the blaze.
“I could still smell burning this morning when I was coming past on Monday morning.
“There was another incident here a few weeks back where a fire took hold around the same area.
“Given you’ve got those empty shops and those trees it could have been a lot worse.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed two appliances from the Macalpine Road fire station attended the scene.
A spokesman for the service said: “We received a call at 8.25pm on Sunday of a car on fire.
“Crews used one hose reel jet and one breathing apparatus at the scene.
“We received the stop message at 8.47pm.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “At around 8.40pm on Sunday, 20 February, 2023 we received a report of a car fire in Harefield Road, Dundee.
“Inquiries are ongoing.”
Conversation