Car explodes after driver lights cigarette – terrifying reason you shouldn’t smoke and drive – The Sun

A MOTORIST miraculously escaped with minor injuries after his car exploded when he lit a cigarette.

The man was stuck in traffic in Halifax town centre on Saturday afternoon at around 3pm, when disaster struck.

He had just filled his car with air freshener moments before lighting his cigarette, so the fumes exploded, West Yorkshire Police said.

The explosion was so strong, it rattled nearby homes, and destroyed some windows of shops.

Emergency services scrambled to the scene, where he was treated.

Locals took to Twitter to describe the moment the fumes exploded.

One said: "A car has literally just exploded outside my flat, the entire room shook windows rattling absolutely madness!

"I really hope no one is seriously hurt."

Another said: "It was an almighty boom. An aerosol? We watched his windscreen and window glass fall from the sky."

Cops have warned against the dangers of smoking inside vehicles and have urged people to remember the hazards of using air freshener cans.

Pictures of the black Seat car posted on social media show its boot, doors and bodywork have been blasted off, with all its windows broken.

The force said on Facebook: "Shortly after 3pm this afternoon Fountain Street, Halifax, had to be closed due to an exploded aerosol can."

The statement said that the car was stationary in traffic when the owner used an air freshener can but did not ventilate his car before lighting his cigarette.

"The fumes exploded and blew out his windscreen, along with some windows at nearby business premises.

"The owner fortunately sustained only minor injuries but this could have been worse."

The force said: "Please can members of the public be careful and follow guidelines when using air freshener cans?"

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