A TERRIFIED mother and her two teenage sons leapt out of their BMW when it caught fire — moments before it exploded.
Maureen Laing, 50, said firefighters told her the three were 30 seconds from death after an engine malfunction “melted” the front of the X1.
The couple were given a courtesy care from BMW who are probing the ‘distressing’ incident
The BMW exploded despite the family being told there was a ‘small’ chance of a fire
Firefighters told Maureen she and her children were 30 seconds from death
The midwife, of Livingston, was driving her boys to basketball practice in Falkirk when black smoke began billowing into the car before flames flicked around the bonnet as she headed towards the M90.
She pulled over into a lay-by and jumped out with her lads, aged 14 and 18, seconds before a fireball engulfed the motor — destroying its entire front end.
Maureen, who is now battling BMW for compensation, said: “The whole thing happened within about 90 seconds. The car started to fill with smoke.
“We grabbed our kit bags and my wallet and phone, then leaped out.
“Within 20 seconds it was engulfed with flames and just melted.
“The fire service told us if we were 30 seconds more in the car it could have been fatal. We are so lucky to be alive.”
Maureen and partner Neil Massie, 53, received a recall letter several weeks before last November’s horror, but the motor could not be checked by an authorised garage until February.
The couple contacted their local dealership in Newbridge but say they were told there was only a “small chance” of an engine fire and could still use the car.
Engineer Neil said: “BMW told us they are probing the incident and offered us a small fee and a price for the value of the car but we’re still waiting for a resolution.”
A BMW spokesman said the couple had been given courtesy cars and that it takes the “distressing” incident “very seriously”.
He added: “We are hoping to conclude a settlement soon.”
Neil Massie and Maureen Laing received a recall letter about the car last November Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
