Car fire in Charlottetown caused by flat tire

Police say the flat tire caused the vehicle to spark, igniting the car on fire

Image | Car fire - Charlottetown - 17/05/17

Caption: A PT Cruiser billows with smoke after a flat tire caused the vehicle to spark and catch on fire. (Pierce Maclean)

A driver and passenger from O'Leary, P.E.I., are safe after being in an early morning car fire on the Charlottetown bypass Wednesday morning.
Sgt. Dave Pound said Charlottetown police received a call around 8 a.m. about a PT Cruiser that had ignited on the Charlottetown highway.
The driver told police the vehicle was travelling westbound when it hit a pothole, which police believe was the cause of the flat tire.

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"The vehicle continued to drive … and ultimately the tire became very flat and ignited and caught on fire," said Pound.
He said the car was travelling under the speed limit, so speed wasn't a factor.
According to the police investigation, the flat tire caused the car to spark, leading to the fire.

Image | Car fire - Charlottetown - 17/05/17

Caption: Police ask any motorists who experience a flat tire to pull over and call for assistance. (Pierce Maclean)

Pound said no one was injured but is asking drivers to pull over when they have a flat tire, and call for assistance.
"Use common sense and safety and pull the vehicle over immediately and request assistance," said Pound.