A VAN has caught on fire on the busy M4 (northbound) just before the uMhlanga off-ramp. The fire started when two men from an electrical company broke down on the busy freeway. The men tried to restart the vehicle but an electrical spark caused the Renault van to be engulfed in flames said Crisis Medical’s Neil Powell.

Passing motorists watched helplessly as the van burnt out completely. The fire department responded to the scene and made sure the blaze was completely extinguished.

“There was a spark in the van’s starter motor as the men tried to restart the vehicle.  The flames quickly spread and it was completely burned out. Luckily the men escaped serious injury. We’ve had to close off one lane on the M4 so traffic is slow moving at the moment,” he said.