Driver gutted as Sh16 million Lamborghini burns an hour after picking it up

A driver has been left devastated after his Sh16 million luxury sports car went up in flames - an hour after he picked it up from the garage.

Lak Sira, 22, stood on the side of the road and watched his Lamborghini Gallardo go up in smoke after he and his girlfriend pulled over and jumped out of the gold-chrome plated vehicle.

The couple had been en route to London for a night out when the incident happened - and now say Lamborghini Birmingham aren't interested after they claim they were nearly killed straight after the car underwent Sh1 million service.

Mr Sira said he is considering taking legal action against the dealership.

"I was on the way to London with my girlfriend for a night out as I just had the car back and wanted to drive it around," he said.

"We had only gone one junction when my girlfriend smelt petrol in the car, so I called the garage's mechanic.

"He said 'the car has just been for a service and it is usual to smell a bit of fuel', so there wasn't a problem.

"So we carried on a bit further and my girlfriend asked me to open the windows, because the smell of fuel had got that strong.

"I stopped on the hard shoulder, between J5 and J6, to remove the roof but then the next thing was we heard a loud bang, it was like a firework going off, and the back of my car caught fire.

"I just had to watch helplessly as the car which I had worked so hard to buy went up in smoke.

"We nearly died, if I didn't pull over when I did I dread to think what happened. It was very frightening and my girlfriend is scared to get in any car with me now."

Lak, who earns Sh26 million a year running an online trading company, is pointing the finger at the garage, accusing them of negligence.

"I am meeting with my solicitor to see whether to take legal action as I can't believe it’s a coincidence that I'd only just had the car back from the garage."

The 22-year-old businessman said that he worked his way up from a Sainsbury’s and a Yodel warehouse, and has "worked from the bottom " to own the Lamborghini,  which he described as his "dream car"

"I worked 24/7 for four years in order to buy this car," he said. "It was my pride and joy and I never imagined I would ever get to sit in one, let alone own my dream car.

A worker at Lamborghini Birmingham, who did not wish to be named, said: "The dealership is not making any comment on the matter."

Lamborghini's UK head office could not be contacted for further comment.