A MUM says she's been left traumatised after her Range Rover exploded like a “bomb" – right outside her home.
Lauren Griffiths, 37, was driving back from work in Ammanford, South Wales in her £58K Range Rover Velar when the car suddenly lost power.
The foot health specialist, who bought the car in November 2018, managed to park it outside her three-storey house in Llwyngwern, Hendy.
But the car suddenly burst into flames.
The mum managed to dash from the car – but the flames quickly spread to the home and her neighbours.
It took three fire engines two and a half hours to combat the blaze which swept through her home.
Shaken, Lauren told The Sun: "There were blue sparks coming from the grill and quite a bit of smoke, it was terrifying.
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“I wasn’t able to switch the engine off either. I was pressing the start/stop button and nothing was happening and there was a loud banging from underneath the bonnet.
In sheer panic, Lauren dialled 999 and ran with her sons into the garden of her house as the car burst into flames.
A bystander helped her and her two children into a nearby garden where they were able to shelter from the flames.
Lauren said: "The neighbours opened their back doors and we all basically ran out of their house and into the garden.
“We watched on in disbelief as the car exploded. There was debris flying everywhere, over people’s houses. It was like a bomb had gone off.”
Firefighters quickly rushed to the scene to put out the smouldering blaze of Lauren's car.
'HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?'
Lauren claims that Range Rover won't take any liability for the car, saying it is two months past its warranty.
She added: “I had a full service history with Land Rover ever since I bought it, everything in that car whether it be wear and tear, service, MOT, even the oil topping up, all was being done at Land Rover. I just said when I’ve maintained it to that standard, how can this happen?
“It was only in for the MOT at the end of November, last year. It was all perfect.
“I just believe they’re quite happy to take your money and you keep your end of the bargain which is you get your car serviced with all the local dealerships and then they turn around and when something goes wrong they say this isn’t our problem.
“I really loved this car.”
Her landlord now claims the house is a “health and safety risk” as she admits she “can’t salvage anything from inside the house.”
This included her son’s first curls and teeth as well as the little bands they wore when born.
A Land Rover spokesman said: "Customer safety is our highest priority.
"We are aware of the incident and we sympathise with Ms Griffiths’ experience, the cause of which is yet to be determined.
"We have duly offered mobility to the customer and are willing to support an investigation by the insurer – the process for which, requires the insurer to investigate first, to avoid any adverse effect on Ms Griffiths’ home and vehicle insurance policies."
There were blue sparks coming from the grill and quite a bit of smoke, it was terrifying
A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "On attendance, crews were confronted with a car fire that had spread to a semi-detached property and was well alight.
"Firefighters extinguished the fire using four breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, two thermal imaging cameras and a short extension ladder.
"The fire had destroyed the vehicle and had caused fire and smoke damage throughout the property. Neighbouring properties had also suffered heat damage from the fire.
"The Police and Western Power were also in attendance.
"The Fire Service ventilated the property, using a positive pressure ventilation fan, and left the incident at 09:58pm.
"The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental."
Lauren’s neighbours started a GoFundMe page so she can recoup some of her losses that has so far raised £2,530.
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