Brahmagiri (Puri): A major mishap was averted on the Puri–Satapada national highway on Sunday evening after a moving car caught fire near the Panasapada petrol pump under Brahmagiri police limits. The driver and five passengers, all tourists, narrowly escaped unhurt.
According to sources, the tourists had travelled from Puri to Satapada earlier in the day to visit Chilika Lake. While returning to Puri in the evening, a loud sound was heard from the rear portion of the car as it approached the Panasapada area.
Alerted by the unusual noise, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and stepped out to check. Within moments, flames erupted from the rear section of the car. Sensing imminent danger, the driver and the five passengers quickly abandoned the vehicle and ran to safety.
The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire car within minutes and reducing it to ashes. Locals suspect that the fire may have been triggered by the bursting of a CNG tank, though official confirmation is awaited.
Upon receiving information from residents, the fire services rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The tourists involved are reportedly from Angul district. The incident occurred on December 28, raising concerns over vehicle safety on busy tourist routes during peak travel season.
