By STACY MOORE Thursday, June 12 2008

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BURNT: The shell of Leston Noel's car which burst into flames yesterday opposite a gas station in Siparia. ...

FOUR PASSENGERS and a driver escaped a fiery death when the driver’s car burst into flames yesterday morning in Siparia opposite a gas station.

An eyewitness told Newsday that only minutes after the passengers ran out the vehicle after the cabin filled with smoke, the entire car became engulfed in flames. According to a police report, at about 7.45 am, Leston Noel, 32, was plying his Nissan Almera for hire and picked up four passengers on High Street in Siparia when he noticed smoke coming from the dash board.

Noel stopped the car and he and his passengers hurriedly ran out of the vehicle. As smoke filled the car, Noel quickly disconnected the battery poles in the engine compartment and went to the gas station to ask to borrow a fire extinguisher.

A loud explosion was heard and when Noel turned around his car was in flames.

Constable Sunil Deo of the Siparia Police Station is continuing investigations. No injuries were reported.