A car owned by an employee of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) burst into flames in Pagadian City.

According to the owner, 43-year-old Mokamad Paunte, a resident of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, he had just allegedly changed the vehicle’s battery at that time.

While the car was moving, he reportedly heard an explosion and noticed that the car had caught fire.

“Sa ating initial investigation galing siya ng Molave, pinalitan pa nga niya yung battery. Along in Maharlika Highway, Purok Bahada, Barangay Dao doon na niya nakita na mayroong sumabog sa kanyang sasakyan at dali niya itong ipinarada at chineck niya at nakita niya na nasunog na nga,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Pagadian Intelligence and Investigation Section Chief, Ariel Salvaner, said.

The fire alarmed residents nearby, including Rogelio Labajo, who feared the flames might reach his store.

“Nagbakwit kami,naghanap kami ng lugar na matatakbuhan para kung magkasunog at tamaan ang aking shop ligtas tayo,” Labajo said.

BFP personnel put the fire out and have started investigating the incident to determine the cause.

“Nag-conduct tayo ng mga possibility kung ano yung nakapag-create ng ignition kung bakit nasunog ang sasakyan,” Salvaner added.