Panic gripped commuters in Nagpur on Thursday afternoon after a moving Maruti van suddenly caught fire near Wathoda Chowk and was engulfed in a massive fireball within minutes amid the city’s scorching heat.
The incident caused chaos on the busy stretch as thick smoke and towering flames completely engulfed the vehicle, forcing nearby pedestrians and motorists to run for safety. The driver narrowly escaped, preventing what could have turned into a major tragedy.
According to preliminary information, the van was passing through the Wathoda Chowk area when a suspected short circuit triggered the fire. Witnesses said flames erupted suddenly and spread rapidly due to the extreme heat, leaving little time to react.
Showing presence of mind, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and jumped out just before the fire took over the van. Within moments, the vehicle was fully engulfed, drawing shocked onlookers to the scene.
On being alerted, teams from the Nagpur Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched firefighting operations. Firefighters battled the blaze for a considerable time before bringing it under control.
By the time the fire was extinguished, a major portion of the van had already been reduced to ashes.
Sources said the vehicle reportedly belonged to a nearby automobile dealer and was being taken for a customer demonstration at the time of the incident.
Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit as the likely cause, though a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact reason behind the fire.
With Nagpur experiencing extreme temperatures in recent days, vehicle fire incidents have become a growing concern. Experts point to heat, poor maintenance, and electrical faults as key risk factors during peak summer conditions.
Authorities have advised vehicle owners to carry out regular maintenance checks, particularly of electrical wiring and cooling systems, to prevent such mishaps.
No injuries were reported, but the incident has once again raised concerns over vehicle safety during the ongoing heatwave in Nagpur.
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