A Kashmiri woman was killed in a five-vehicle pileup at the Dubai College traffic signal junction on Jumeirah Road on Wednesday afternoon.

“One vehicle was stopped at the signal when a speeding car rammed into it causing a major accident involving five vehicles that caught fire. The lady died on the spot,” said an eyewitness.

“A lady driver was seriously burnt because she could not open her car’s door and escape. She was taken away in an ambulance,” a Dubai Municipality employee engaged in cleaning the accident site told Emirates 24|7.

An Asian national was seriously injured in the crash, he added.

The impact of the fire was visible in the form of a totally burnt palm tree while two other adjacent trees were also seared.

Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Municipality staff cleared the area and the burnt-out hulks of the four-wheel drive vehicles involved in the accident were towed away.

“We have been working here for more than three-and-a-half hours now. We have removed the charred remains of the vehicles and are now bringing sand from the adjacent beach to clear the slippery road. A lot of oil and lubricants have spilled on the road.” said a municipality employee.

The accident occurred several metres ahead of a traffic signal on one of the exit roads towards The Palm Jumierah. Police were regulating traffic on one side of the exit road.

Meanwhile, motorists have been advised by Dubai Police to obey traffic rules and stop at traffic lights. The hazard of vehicles catching fire rise greatly during summer and a number of such cases are reported in the city.

According to Dubai Police, vehicle fires happen due to additions made to cars outside of proper agencies. Some young men make changes to their cars and add devices such as loudspeakers and other equipment, which lead to an increase in electric pressure of the vehicle and may cause a fire.

Leaving lighters in a vehicle could lead to an explosion due to the extreme heat.

The number of fires recorded last year by Dubai Police numbered 660 of which 256 were vehicle fires.