KOMBI BURSTS INTO FLAMES

MANZINI - A kombi driver is lucky to be alive after the vehicle burst into flames near the Manzini Bus Rank yesterday.

The incident occurred at around 3pm.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the kombi had refuelled at a nearby filling station when the driver parked, reportedly after sensing that something wasn’t right with the vehicle. 

After getting out of the kombi, the driver is said to have run away in fear that the vehicle would explode.

It was gathered that the kombi serviced the Manzini – Mkhulamini route, however, at the time of the incident, there were no passengers on board as it was destined for the bus rank, to pick up customers during the peak hour.

One of the eyewitnesses found at the scene said wherever the driver was, he was lucky to be alive.

“I have never seen a man run so fast. As soon as he parked the kombi, he rolled out and it immediately burst into flames,” the eyewitness said.

When this reporter visited the scene, the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services team was already at the scene, extinguishing the inferno. 

The flames left extensive damage to the kombi, such that the seats were completely burnt off, leaving the steel frames exposed.

Scores of onlookers gathered around the blazing kombi, some of who relayed the events to new arrivals. 

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident, and stated that no injuries were recorded on the scene. 

She added that the driver was still on the run, as investigations were ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire.

“We have not located the driver of the kombi as yet,” she said.

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