A Scots mum and her young son had a lucky escape after their car went up in flames just off the M8.
Catherine McAffrey, 33, was in the vehicle with her brother and eight-year-old son when she claims the brakes suddenly failed as she was taking the turn off from the motorway onto Stepps Road. The bonnet of her Vauxhall Astra caught fire, forcing the family to get out the motor and run to safety, reports Glasgow Live.
Catherine, who lives in Easterhouse in Glasgow, said: "I was coming off the motorway and went to brake, and the brakes were totally gone. I was coming up to traffic lights and the brakes weren't working.
"I was screaming and my brother grabbed the steering wheel. Then the whole front bonnet went up in flames and we had to escape as fast as possible.
"It was horrible. I had my wee boy with me, he's only eight and was absolutely shaking and I was trying to deal with the whole situation.
"We ran to the other side of the road to get as far away from the car as we could in case it blew up. A family friend was driving past and tried to use the fire extinguisher in his car but it was too far gone by then."
The incident was especially shocking to Catherine, who is also mum to sons aged 10 and 20 months, as the car had never had any prior issues.
"The car was completely fine before this happened, we never had any problems with it," she added.
"There was no warning light. We had the car for five years and it had its MOT and service each year.
"Right now I'm just thinking of the 'what ifs'. I have a wee baby boy as well and what if he was there as well and he wouldn't be able to escape himself."
She said: "I've been really anxious since it happened, worrying it could happen with another car, even though logically I know it wouldn't happen. It could have been a hell of a lot worse, so I'm trying to be positive.
"My son is a bit shaken up - he's going through all the 'what if' scenarios as well, so I'm just trying to be supportive to him."
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were contacted for comment.
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