The Dubai Police has recorded around 94 vehicle fires since the start of 2022 as authorities issued a warning against the increase in car fires due to the advent of the summer season.
Particular behaviour and practices by drivers can set heavy trucks and cars on fire, including leaving liquids that may have combustible substances inside the vehicle or failing to disconnect electrical devices inside the car, particularly in this hot weather.
Significant changes in the vehicle’s body can also lead to fires, including needless modifications that do not meet the required specifications, duplicate parts that do not go with the vehicle’s electrical system, and the installation of components by a non-specialised technician.
Officials regularly remind motorists to maintain their vehicles, particularly before summer.
The head of fire effects examination at the forensic evidence department and criminology, Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, said the primary cause of the fire this year was lack of regular maintenance and poor service.
He further stated, “Faulty wires, particularly in old cars, lead to a malfunction in the car’s electrical system and cause unpreventable fires, even if the car is parked and the engine is not running.”
He highlighted that fire is estimated to increase during the summer season, provoking motorists to carry out regular car service at legal repair shops and reliable technicians to assure fire safety.
Ahmed added that Motorists must also learn to follow safety instructions and use extinguishers placed inside their vehicles in case of a fire.
“Once they sense something burning or see smoke coming from their cars, they need to step out and call Dubai Civil Defence immediately,” advised Ahmed.
Last week, a massive fire destroyed many Al Qusais Industrial Area vehicles. The severity of the damage and the number of cars impacted are yet to be revealed.
Ahmed said investigations are also going on to find the cause of a current fire that gutted caravans in the Al Jaddaf area on April 14.
“Investigations to present a final report on the reasons for the fire is near completion.”