Bhubaneswar: Panic gripped commuters on the Jaydev Vihar flyover on Wednesday evening after a scooter carrying firecrackers suddenly caught fire following an explosion.
Two persons sustained serious injuries in the incident and were immediately rushed to Capital Hospital by passersby, who also alerted emergency services.
According to eyewitness accounts, the explosion occurred while the two were traveling from Bhubaneswar toward Cuttack. A loud blast was heard near the OCAC building, after which the scooter was seen engulfed in flames. Several unexploded firecrackers were scattered across the road following the blast, disrupting traffic on the busy stretch.
Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion was triggered by firecrackers being transported on the scooter, possibly due to friction or heat buildup. Police and Fire personnel arrived at the spot shortly after the incident and brought the situation under control.
With Diwali approaching, authorities have once again urged citizens to exercise caution while transporting firecrackers, noting that several such incidents have been reported in past years due to improper handling or storage.
