Fireball fears see dozens of black cabs ordered off roads

The city council today confirmed 44 vehicles had been impounded while an investigation is carried out.

Two Edinburgh drivers have now come forward to tell the Evening News how their cabs spontaneously burst into flames. Both are now considering legal action.

One warned the vehicles could become death traps because of an automatic mechanism which locks the back doors – potentially trapping passengers inside.

Driver Ally Lothian's cab was destroyed by fire just before Christmas last year.

Mr Lothian, 44, of Pilton, said: "The fire marshal who attended to my burnt-out cab told me that with the way these cabs are wired up, there's a potential for the wires to melt and freeze the electronic locking system.

"Thankfully there were no passengers in my cab at the time."

David Gillan, 45, and his brother Robert, 36, were sharing one of the taxis when it caught fire while making its way along Frogston Road West in February.

The pair are now trying to recoup 10,000 of lost earnings and expenses caused by the faulty cab, but to date the manufacturer, LTI Vehicles, has refused to admit the problem is widespread.

David, a former RAF fireman, said: "They told me that the fire was caused by wires rubbing against the battery. I'm no engineer, but as a former fireman I can tell you that this is complete rubbish.

"In any fire the ignition point is always the area with the most damage, and in this case it was in the fuel injectors. I'm certain these fires are being caused by a fuel leak.

"I have handed over pictures and evidence from independent engineers to my lawyers who are preparing the legal case."

The problem, which affects TX4-type cabs with a 56 registration, has also hit cabs in London, where 500 have been taken off the road for checks. Manufacturer LTI is investigating the problem.

Edinburgh's largest taxi fleet, Central Cabs, has had to take around 30 of its cabs off the road this weekend.

Secretary Murray Fleming, also branch representative for the Scottish Taxi Federation, said: "The weekend is our busiest time and it's a lot of lost earning for our drivers. All of our drivers are self employed, so there will be a lot of empty pockets because of this."

Raymond Davidson, secretary of the Edinburgh Taxi Association, said taking 44 of the city's 1200-strong black cab fleet off the road would cause problems.

But he said: "I think what is of real concern is the speed at which these incidents have happened. It doesn't seem like the taxi drivers have enough time to get themselves out the cab, let along make sure their passengers are okay."

A council spokeswoman said cab inspectors had ordered 44 city taxis had to be recalled and said they would remain impounded until they are made safe.

There was no one at LTI available for comment.