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2008 Issues Archive
01 October 2008
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Ricardo investigators join probe into mystery black cab fires
Automotive consultancy Ricardo has been called in to help identify the cause of a number of mysterious under-bonnet fires that have struck black cabs in London.
There have been at least eight fires in London on “56” plate TX4 cabs made by LTI Vehicles since May.
The Public Carriage Office has suspended the Hackney carriage licences of 600 TX4 black cabs until LTI establishes the cause.
Ed Thompson, director of taxi and private hire at the Public Carriage Office, said: “We simply have no choice but to suspend the licence until LTI can confirm this model is safe. They are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible. ”
LTI said two independent fire investigators and Ricardo were working on pinpointing the cause.
The “56” plate TX4 was the first LTI vehicle fitted with a VM Motori-built diesel engine. LTI said that Ricardo engineers were working on site at its Coventry facility, but declined to put a timescale on the investigation.
The Public Carriage Office appointed an independent fire safety expert to examine some of the burnt-out vehicles.
LTI promised regular updates of the inquiry’s progress.
© PE Publishing, 01 October 2008
