Fire razes PUV on Mandaluyong road

A public utility vehicle caused heavy traffic in Mandaluyong City after its hood suddenly went up in flames along a main road Saturday morning.

According to SFO1 Victor Tablay, arson investigator, Jaycart Catandian was driving the GT Express Toyota Revo, with plate number TYM 472, at around 8 a.m. in Barangka Drive when bystanders saw smoke from under the vehicle’s hood.

They informed Catandian about it, who pulled over to the side of the road and got off.

“Immediately after that, the entire hood went up in flames,” Tablay recounted.

The flames immediately spread downwards, reaching the PUV’s fender, which, Tablay said, eventually began to “melt.”

The investigator said that because of the fire, the part where the engine is located and downwards “cannot be recognized anymore.”

“The body of the vehicle remains intact though,” he said.

In total, the fire only lasted for a few minutes, since bystanders also helped in extinguishing the flames. The accident, however, caused heavy traffic on Boni Avenue and nearby streets.

While investigators are still studying the cause of the fire, Tablay said that it was more likely started by faulty electrical wiring in the air-conditioning system. Kristine Felisse Mangunay