The partially burnt vehicle in the Belle Vue area shortly after the blaze was completely put out. Photo: VINO

A Suzuki XL 7 vehicle had caught on fire on Ridge Road in the Belle Vue area on January 5, 2012.

According to Acting Chief Fire Officer William Penn, investigations so far are pointing in the direction of a manufacture problem associated with those types of vehicles.

Virgin Islands News Online also spoke to several mechanics, who mostly agreed that there was a flaw with those particular types of vehicles, which lead to overheating and power steering problems, which can result in a vehicle catching afire.

It was reported that persons in the area assisted in putting the fire out but the engine was badly burnt before they were able to successfully extinguish the flames.

In relation to an incident in December where a Suzuki Geo Tracker was burnt in Josiah’s Bay, Mr. Penn said investigations point to arson.

Virgin Islands News Online had also reported in June about an incident in Sea Cows Bay where the engine of a sports car suddenly burst into flames, a stone’s throw away from the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School.

It was not clear what may have caused the fire as the driver himself was baffled. Luckily for him though he was able to get assistance with putting the fire out before it could have engulfed the car. No one was injured.