Just moments before 10 pm tonight (Wednesday), the worn-out transmission of a 1998 Plymouth Voyager gave out completely, bursting into flames right when the driver was about to park on 10th Avenue between West 52nd and 53rd Streets in Hell’s Kitchen.
The motorist escaped uninjured and promptly dialed 911 to alert them about the blaze. The FDNY arrived rapidly, breaking every window to extinguish the fire, resulting in a thick plume of smoke hovering above the street reminiscent of a B-movie car chase sequence—but without the actual pursuit.
As smoke rose into the air and sirens wailed, spectators jumped to conclusions. Many believed the car had erupted in flames. Others worried about possible victims trapped within. Fortunately, reality painted a much milder picture: nobody was hurt; it was simply an old van that had dramatically called it quits.
Mandy Oser, who owns Ardesia Wine Bar nearby, found herself caught up in the commotion when a man entered her establishment seeking assistance with using the restrooms. The gentleman was visually impaired and unable to catch a taxi since 10th Avenue was cordoned off—there had been an incident involving a burning vehicle. Intrigued yet concerned, Mandy guided him across the street so they could both observe the unfolding scene firsthand.
At the same time, the driver—who appeared far more worried about having triggered the traffic backup than about losing his nearly totaled Plymouth—seemed genuinely sorry for causing inconvenience. Amidst the honking from frustrated drivers around them, he gave a shrug when speaking to W42ST and admitted that although he knew the car had seen better days, he hadn’t wanted to let go of it until it finally conked out entirely.
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Transmission Turmoil: Classic Minivan Makes a Spectacular Exit on 10th Avenue
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