Burning car on Torhoutbaan in Ichtegem damages home and road surface: 'First task was to cool the house'

A driver narrowly escaped a dangerous situation Saturday night when his car burst into flames while driving on Torhoutbaan in Ichtegem, Belgium. The driver was unharmed, but the vehicle was completely destroyed. The fire also caused significant damage to a nearby house and the road surface.

Firefighters responded to the incident, which occurred around midnight on the border of Ichtegem and Torhout. The driver reported the car began to falter and emit a burning smell before flames erupted. He managed to pull the vehicle over to a bike path just as the fire took hold. Leaking gasoline ignited, threatening an unoccupied house at the corner of Veldstraat.

"Our first task upon arrival was to immediately begin cooling the house," said fire captain Matthieu Vanwalleghem. This swift action prevented the house from catching fire, though its facade and front door were damaged by the intense heat. The road surface also suffered severe damage from the heat and burning gasoline, requiring the removal of loose asphalt and extensive cleaning.

The Torhoutbaan was closed for several hours during the firefighting and cleanup operations, reopening around 2 a.m. The road agency was informed to place necessary signage for traffic and cyclists.