Man in his 50s sets himself and car ablaze in Bookham, Surrey
Blast Rocks Bookham Village
A man in his 50s shocked locals after he turned himself and his car into a towering fireball in Bookham, Surrey, on Monday afternoon. Police swiftly put Lower Shott on lockdown shortly after midday as flames ripped through the area.
Flaming Car Packed with Propane Cans
Firefighters from Leatherhead and Painshill raced to the scene after an explosion shattered the calm. The man had loaded his Ford Focus with large propane gas cans – many remnants found in the boot and around the vehicle. The intensity of the blaze melted nearby guttering, leaving the street scorched and cordoned off while fire investigators examine the scene.
Man Rescued, Seriously Burned
Witnesses reported seeing the man fall from the burning car, his clothes engulfed in flames, shrieking in agony. Emergency crews, including doctors and advanced paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, treated him for severe third-degree burns at the scene. He was then airlifted by the Kent and Surrey Air Ambulance to St George’s Hospital.
A South East Coast Ambulance spokesman said: “They were called to Lower Shott car park near the High Street in Bookham at 12.40pm after a report that a man had been found with serious injuries and a car was on fire. A man in his 50s has been airlifted to St George’s Hospital with serious injuries. His next of kin are aware.”
Joint Surrey Police and Fire Probe Underway
Surrey Police and Surrey Fire Brigade have launched a joint investigation to uncover what led to the dramatic and dangerous incident. The charred remains of the Ford Focus remain cordoned off as teams work on the inquiry.
More updates to follow.
