Newly purchased BMW erupts in flames on U.S. Hwy. 27/441 in Lady Lake

A newly purchased BMW erupted in flames last week on U.S. Hwy. 27/441 in Lady Lake.

Michael Calkins, 63, of Sanford, said he had purchased the 2015 BMW I-3 on the afternoon of Aug. 25 at BMW of Gainesville, according to an incident report from the Lady Lake Police Department.

He was driving the car south on U.S. Hwy. 27/441 at about 10 p.m. when he heard a “pop” from the rear of the vehicle. The BMW then began to smoke. Calkins pulled over and he and a passenger got out of the vehicle. As Lake County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.

Kling Towing arrived and towed the vehicle. Calkins and his passenger were given a ride to Perkins restaurant, where they were waiting for his son to pick them up.