Uber cab catches fire, passenger recalls scary experience

The commuter said she sensed a burning smell and alerted the driver who did not pay any heed to the warning.

An Uber passenger and driver had a narrow escape after their cab burst in flames in Chennai, India. The woman commuter shared her shocking experience on Instagram and posted a video of the burning cab.
Pallavi Singh said she sensed a burning smell coming from the car but dismissed it initially. Soon she noticed smoke coming out from the AC ducts of the car and alerted the Uber driver who did not pay any heed to the warning.
The two got off the cab just in time when other car driver informed them about sparks coming from under the vehicle.
According to Singh's post shared on January 13, the cab burst into flames soon after the two got off the vehicle. "We stopped and exited the car, only to see it burn down to ashes, and along with it my bag containing my IDs, Dailies and Wallet. I came to know that only the metal skeleton of the seats remained. It was undoubtedly the scariest moment of my life. I can't get that image out of my head," Singh wrote on Instagram.
Claiming that Uber had not contacted her even after 12 hours since the horrifying incident occurred, Singh further wrote, "And it's been over 12 hours since this happened and I wonder if Uber even knows this happened or have absolutely nothing to say to me. This is heights of carelessness, ignorance and utter lack of interest in their customers. Thanks Uber. FYI, I saved your driver's life last nigh."

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

@uber_india A word of caution to all Uber users out there, who believe their safety is being taken care of with utmost sincerity. Last night, on my trip back home, I sensed a burning smell inside the car. At first my limited imagination made me think that it's coming from the outside. Once the car drove up the TTK road fly over, I saw smoke coming out from the foot area and possibly the AC ducts. To my shock, the driver had not spotted it nor taken any effort to warn me about it. I warned him and asked him what was going on. Luckily, people from other cars around told us to pull over, as they had seen sparks from under. We stopped and exited the car, only to see it burn down to ashes, and along with it my bag containing my IDs, Dailies and Wallet. I came to know that only the metal skeleton of the seats remained. It was undoubtedly the scariest moment of my life. I cannot get that image out of my head. And it's been over 12 hours since this happened and I wonder if Uber even knows this happened or have absolutely nothing to say to me. This is heights of carelessness, ignorance and utter lack of interest in their customers. Thanks Uber. FYI, I saved your driver's life last night. @uber_india
A post shared by Pallavi Singh (@pallavi_85) on Jan 12, 2019 at 11:45pm PST

Uber commented on the incident and told Indian Express that they reached out to the passenger and driver both and applauded the rider for quickly bringing this issue to their attention.
"There was nothing more critical than the safety of our riders and driver partners and we standby to assist the law enforcement with any information they might require," Uber said.

• India