Two escape as car catches fire near Lal Bangla

Kanpur: A major accident was averted late Friday night in Chakeri police station area of Kanpur when a car near the Lal Bangla police checkpoint suddenly caught fire and was reduced to ashes within minutes.The driver and his companion managed to get out in time and escaped unhurt.According to eyewitnesses, the car was travelling from Harjinder Nagar towards the Lal Bangla checkpoint when smoke began rising from the engine and, within moments, the fire engulfed the entire vehicle. The driver stopped the car on the roadside and got out along with his companion.The fire caused panic in the area, and a large number of people gathered after seeing the flames and smoke. Chakeri police and a team from the fire department reached the spot upon receiving information and brought the blaze under control with the help of a fire tender.However, the car was completely gutted. Jajmau fire station’s fire officer, Rahul Nandan, said a short circuit could have triggered the fire, but the exact cause was being investigated. He added that by the time fire personnel arrived, the driver had already left the spot.