Dramatic scenes as van goes on fire on Mullingar’s Patrick Street

A motorist was lucky to escape unscathed after the van he was driving suddenly caught fire on Mullingar’s Patrick Street this afternoon.

Traffic came to a standstill on the western side of the town, as fire services personnel moved to put out the blaze.

A garda source told the Westmeath Examiner that at around 3.30pm, a motorist was in transit on Patrick Street, when he noticed smoke and flames issuing from the vehicle. The driver pulled in at the kerb, got a safe distance away, and contacted the fire brigade.

Briefly, the fire threatened cars parked nearby when it ignited oil on the road. However, one tender from Mullingar Fire Station arrived at the scene and removed the danger. There were no injuries, and apart from the van, no damage to property.

Garda traffic diversions were put in place at both ends of Patrick Street as fire services made the scene safe.