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Wiltshire couple 'furious' after recalled Zafira bursts into flames

A couple from Amesbury, Wiltshire, say they are furious after their Vauxhall Zafira - which they believed had been fixed - burst into flames. Vauxhall insists the family were informed that the car had been recalled for a second time.

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Father talks of his horror after family car bursts into flames

They thought their car was safe. The Vauxhall Zafira - had been recalled and checked after several others - had burst into flames. But when Angela and Matthew Layton turned up the heater - black smoke billowed out - and the car was soon on fire. They've described it as a potential death trap and had a narrow escape. The couple - from Wiltshire - say they weren't told - a second check was needed. Mary Stanley has the story

Couple furious after recalled Zafira bursts into flames

A couple from Amesbury, Wiltshire, say they are furious after their Vauxhall Zafira - which they believed had been fixed - burst into flames.

Angela and Matthew Layton have released dramatic footage showing the car engulfed in flames and fire crews trying to put it out.

The couple say they thought their car had been repaired and were unaware it had been recalled again.

Angela had turned the heating on to stop the windscreen from misting up, when the fire started. She claims the family were not told a second lot of work was needed, and using the heating could spark a fire.

Vauxhall insists it sent four letters to the couple advising them.

We have sent four communications to Ms Layton by letter. The most recent were in May when we announced the second recall and in September when we asked her to make an appointment with her local retailer for the second recall. The May letter included clear advice on how to operate the heating system until the second recall was complete - this would have protected from the potential for the regrettable fire that she experienced.

The September letter was sent on the 2nd, the fire occurred on the 11th.

When we have received the necessary permissions from Ms Layton's insurance company we will forensically inspect the vehicle.

235,000 Zafira B models built between 2005 and 2014 are affected by the recall action and all owner data has been provided by the DVLA.

– Vauxhall Motors statement

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