Couple put their car in for an MOT – then the garage went up in flames

A devastating fire completely destroyed a garage in Uddingston, resulting in the loss of a car that had been recently taken there for an MOT. Nurse Lakini Bolton had dropped off her black Ford Fiesta, affectionately named Vadar after a Star Wars character, just hours before the blaze consumed the building.

Following an anxious period wondering about the fate of the vehicle, the garage owner informed Lakini and her partner that their car had remained on a ramp inside the garage at the time the fire broke out. Lakini shared, “It’s gone,” but was somewhat reassured to hear that the insurance would cover the loss, although the timeline for receiving compensation remains uncertain.

Firefighters battled the intense flames through the night, managing to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby petrol station and supermarket. While one individual required treatment for smoke inhalation at the scene, no other injuries were reported. Lakini recalls witnessing the fire while being driven to the railway station to collect her partner Jerry Chalupnik. By the time they finished shopping, the fire had grown substantially, with Jerry describing the scene: “It was like ten times bigger than it had been originally. It was huge with thick black smoke — the thing you see when a lot of rubber tyres burn.”

The car had both practical and sentimental importance. Jerry, a Star Wars enthusiast, was the owner, but Lakini depended on the vehicle for her commutes to the hospital where she works in Glasgow. She explained, “My mum’s on holiday so I’m able to borrow her car just now but she’s back on Thursday and I haven’t yet got a plan.” The vehicle also marked a significant milestone, as Lakini had used it when she passed her driving test four years ago, saying, “There are a lot of memories attached to that car.” Alongside the personal losses, mechanic and MOT tester David Mills also suffered a heavy blow, losing his entire collection of tools. To support him, friends have started a crowdfunder to help replace the expensive equipment he had accumulated over many years. Authorities have stated that they do not suspect the fire was started intentionally and are conducting an investigation to determine the cause

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