In central Moscow, an aging Mercury Grand Marquis suddenly erupted in flames, a moment captured by bystanders as it unfolded on a busy street. The clip showed the sedan losing power and stopping in the right lane, after which flames burst from beneath the hood and began to creep toward the passenger compartment. The driver, along with a handful of people nearby, moved quickly to try to smother the blaze with a portable extinguisher and improvised methods, while keeping a safe distance from the growing heat. The scene underscored the risks that older cars can pose when engine fires strike in heavy traffic. Witnesses described the car as being decades old, a reminder that regular maintenance matters even when a vehicle still seems roadworthy. The fire drew attention from other drivers and pedestrians who slowed down to watch and lend help when it was safe. No injuries were reported on site, and the priority became halting the spread of fire and preventing any collateral damage to nearby vehicles.
The fiery surge began under the hood and quickly pushed flames toward the interior. The driver tried to steer to the curb, but the vehicle had already lost enough power that it could not resume movement. Firefighters arrived within minutes, their hoses working to douse the flames before they could engulf the cabin completely. In the ensuing minutes, onlookers kept their distance, watching the blaze shrink as water and foam finally took control of the situation. The episode occurred in a busy artery near the city’s center, forcing nearby traffic to slow and giving emergency crews room to operate. The extinguishing effort proceeded without reports of casualties, and investigators began roaming the scene afterwards to assess what sparked the sudden blaze in a 46-year-old car.
The location was Smolenskaya Square, a well-known junction in the central district. The car involved was described as 46 years old, a reminder that age can be a factor in engine fires. Local residents and commuters watched from sidewalks as flames were steadily suppressed. Official notices later indicated that the fire had been contained, and the area reopened as the flames died away. The episode highlighted the importance of quick action by bystanders who intervene only when it is safe to do so, allowing professional crews to complete the suppression and preserve evidence for a preliminary assessment of the incident’s cause. Police and traffic staff managed the flow of vehicles around the disruption, guiding motorists away from the scene while emergency personnel worked to secure the location.
Shortly after the incident, a statement was issued stating that the blaze had been extinguished. The report also noted that there were no injuries and that the surrounding area had returned to normal as crews finished their work. The rapid response by emergency teams likely prevented the fire from spreading to other vehicles and nearby structures, a scenario that can quickly escalate in crowded urban streets. The episode serves as a reminder that when a vehicle catches fire, drivers should move to a safe location if possible, turn off the engine, and leave the area once they are at a safe distance. Only trained responders should approach a vehicle in flames. The event also underscored the value of having a working fire extinguisher in the vehicle and being familiar with basic safety steps in case of smoke or fire on the road.
Earlier on the Garden Ring, another car caught fire and was brought under control in a short time. Fire crews arrived promptly and extinguished the flames, with no injuries reported. The episode served as another reminder of how quickly a roadside fire can flare up in metropolitan areas and how essential it is for drivers to keep their vehicles in good working order and to know the basics of fire safety. Bystanders described the moment as tense but controlled, with everyone stepping back once professionals took charge and ensured that the fire did not threaten nearby vehicles or pedestrians. The episode did not cause lasting disruption beyond temporary traffic slowdowns while crews did their work.
Earlier reports described a separate incident involving a propane tank at a gas station in Ufa catching fire. The driver managed to extinguish the flames with a portable fire extinguisher before responders arrived, and firefighters then completed the extinguishing operation. This sequence highlights the danger propane tanks can pose when exposed to heat and flames, particularly at refueling sites where vehicles are close together and engines run hot. It also illustrates how quick actions by drivers can prevent a small flare up from becoming a larger emergency, buying responders time to arrive and fully secure the scene. The takeaway is clear: always keep a safe distance from any fire source and call for help as soon as flames appear.
In St. Petersburg, reports surfaced that a city bus had emitted smoke during a prior movement, a reminder that public transport can also encounter engine or electrical fires that require swift handling. While no injuries were reported in that case, the incident added to a broader picture of urban fire risks that can appear suddenly on crowded streets. Authorities repeatedly stress routine maintenance and precautionary checks as essential for reducing such incidents. For residents and travelers in large cities, the episodes in Moscow, Ufa, and St. Petersburg offer a practical reminder to stay alert when a vehicle shows unusual signs like sudden smoke, strange smells, or strange engine noises. Quick action, calm decision-making, and respect for professional responders all play critical roles in keeping streets safe and minimizing harm when fires occur on the move.