RIYADH, 28 October 2007 — A Ford Crown Victoria burst into flames on Makkah Road opposite the Saudi Research and Marketing Building here Friday night causing traffic to come to a standstill for 30 minutes on one of the busiest freeways in Riyadh. Smoke rising from the blaze could be seen from a distance.
According to Riyadh Civil Defense, the car was not involved in an accident. “The car burst into flames while it was on the road,” Capt. Abdullah Al-Qaffari, Civil Defense spokesman, told Arab News.
He added that the car’s driver had not been located. The authorities are currently investigating the circumstances in which the car was abandoned. Three Civil Defense officers extinguished the fire.
Police arrived at the scene promptly diverting traffic and dispersing bystanders to allow free movement of cars.
