Ford Car Catches Fire on Phuket Kaew Road; Foreign Driver Escapes Safely, No Injuries

On the evening of July 4, 2026, a private passenger car caught fire on Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu District, Phuket Province. The vehicle involved was a black Ford sedan. Flames began in the engine compartment while the car was parked at a U-turn, producing thick smoke and spreading rapidly. The driver, a foreign national, was able to get out of the car in time and was unharmed. No one was injured, but the vehicle sustained extensive damage. Local news reported that the incident was reported to the Kathu Police Station at about 5:50 p.m.

According to witness statements at the scene, the car had been started and driven into the U-turn when the driver parked at the roadside and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The driver attempted to open the hood to inspect the problem, but the fire flared up so quickly that they had to abandon the vehicle. The nearby municipal fire unit was notified and rushed to the scene with firefighting equipment. It took about 20–30 minutes to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Kathu police said the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but initial suspicion is that it may have originated from an electrical fault or an engine-related problem—issues that can occur occasionally with older vehicles or cars that have not been regularly maintained. Officers will examine the remaining parts and collect evidence at the scene to support the investigation.

The incident caused concern among residents and tourists traveling the route, since the U-turn on Phuket Kaew Road is a major connector between residential areas and the province’s tourism districts. To reduce risk, traffic authorities set up temporary road closures and managed traffic while the fire unit worked, causing slowdowns on Phuket Kaew Road during the evening rush hour.

Local residents and business owners said authorities have asked drivers to routinely check their vehicles, especially electrical systems, battery connections, and fuel systems, to help prevent possible fires. They also recommended keeping a small fire extinguisher in the car and knowing how to use it properly. Renters of tourist vehicles were warned to follow rental company guidance and inspect cars before departing.

Legally, investigators will await forensic results from the Phuket provincial forensics unit to determine the fire’s point of origin and the true cause before concluding the case and notifying the victim or the insurance company. Although there were no deaths or injuries, the incident serves as a reminder to the community and business owners to maintain vehicles and follow safety measures to reduce risks to property and road users’ lives.