A taxi along Andrews Avenue in Villamor, Pasay City, caught fire at past noon on Monday, March 23.

Speaking to DZRH, the cab’s 51-year-old driver, Norberto Bornales, said he was waiting at a red light when his vehicle began emitting smoke, as reported by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort.

Bornales turned off the engine and exited the vehicle to pour water into it—and just in time, as the cab suddenly caught fire and was soon enveloped in flames.

According to his account, he had opened the hood and unplugged the battery, but the fire had already spread, and his water was insufficient to put it out himself.

“Pag dating diyan, bago mag-stoplight, umusok. Tapos, alam ko, iba na ‘yung usok. Alam ko nanggagaling na sa apoy. Pinatay ko ‘yung makina, binuksan ko ‘yung hood, binuhusan ko ‘yung battery. Noong pagbunot nung battery, saka ko sinilip, nag-aapoy na. Kinuha ko ‘yung isang litro kong tubig, binuhusan ko, kaso hindi makapasok ‘yung tubig dahil nasa loob ng dashboard,” Bornales told Ricafort.

Apart from his cab, his ₱500 earnings and other belongings were burned. The only thing he managed to salvage was the vehicle’s registration document.

In less than five minutes, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrived at the scene to quell the fire.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.