New £9,000 Kia Erupts in Flames with Puppy Inside Mere Days After Purchase
A shocking incident has unfolded in Cumbria where a woman's newly purchased Kia burst into flames with her puppy inside, only 12 days after she bought the vehicle. Sian Crooks, from Workington, was driving her Kia Stonic when the terrifying ordeal occurred, forcing her to watch helplessly as her £9,000 car went up in smoke.
Dramatic Escape for Driver and Puppy
Crooks was behind the wheel in her hometown when the car suddenly ignited. Her 19-week-old Labrador puppy, Bowie, was in the vehicle at the time. Miraculously, both escaped without injury, though the experience left Crooks traumatized. "Everything filled with black smoke and the engine just went up," she recounted to BBC News.
"I was in the middle of the road but fortunately it wasn't busy, so I just pulled off onto the side road. I was terrified, I had to get my mum to come out of work, I was crying to her on the phone," Crooks added, describing the panic of the moment.
Purchase Details and Ongoing Investigation
The Kia Stonic was bought just 12 days earlier from Motorzone Northwest in Blackpool for £9,000. Crooks expressed frustration over the lack of resolution, stating, "Obviously, I need a resolution. There has been no investigation as to what happened. Everyone's expecting me to foot the bill for the car that blew up 12 days after I bought it."
A Kia spokesperson responded, emphasizing the seriousness of the event: "We treat events such as this with the utmost importance. As this is an ongoing case, we are unable to comment on the cause of the incident."
Vehicle History and Manufacturer's Statement
The spokesperson confirmed that there are no recalls applicable to the vehicle or the Stonic model, which has been in production since 2017 as a subcompact crossover SUV. However, they noted, "The vehicle was purchased outside of the Kia dealer network and therefore we have limited information about its history."
Kia assured that they are working with the owner to gather details, adding, "We treat events such as this with the utmost importance and we are working with the vehicle owner to obtain a full account of the situation, as well as the vehicle's servicing and repair paperwork."
This incident raises significant concerns about vehicle safety and consumer protection, highlighting the potential risks even with new cars. The community is left awaiting further developments as the investigation continues.
