BMW car fire off Walmgate in York – crews on scene

Two fire engines and police were on the scene in Navigation Road, off Walmgate, on Wednesday evening (September 2) after the blaze.

The fire had been extinguished by 5.30pm on Wednesday but cordons remain around the burned-out BMW car.

Seven police officers stood guard by the cordon across Navigation Road at the junction with Walmgate on Wednesday evening.

Some police officers were speaking to residents behind the tape.

Images shared with The Press showed the car engulfed in flames as residents stood outside their homes behind the cordon.

A passerby who witnessed the car exploding told The Press: “I was coming from Foss Islands Road and I saw smoke and realised it was a car well alight.

“It was clear there was something wrong. The driver had pulled up on the pavement and was trying to get things out of the car while it was smoking.

“He was clear before it suddenly caught fire and then started to explode – it was popping.

“The police arrived before the fire service and closed the road. They have been doing a great job keeping everyone well back.”

A woman living in flats opposite where the car burst into flames said she heard a “bang like a shot”.

“[I] ran outside and saw the smoke,” she said. “My neighbour in Hope Street said there were already some police there when the car went up.”

The incident came at a time when traffic had been building in Walmgate due to drivers being diverted from the York inner ring road which is closed at Fishergate due to storm damage.