A family of four had a miraculous escape when their car suddenly caught fire while they were traveling on the Phagwara-Jalandhar GT Road flyover on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 AM, creating panic among commuters but fortunately resulting in no injuries.
Dramatic Rescue on Busy Highway
The family, identified as Balwinder Singh, his wife, and their two children, were traveling from Phagwara to Jalandhar when they noticed smoke emerging from their vehicle's engine compartment. Acting quickly, Balwinder Singh immediately stopped the car and evacuated his family to a safe distance just moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke billowing from the car as the fire rapidly spread. The location on the elevated flyover section of the Grand Trunk Road added to the danger, with limited escape routes and potential for traffic congestion.
Swift Emergency Response
Local authorities responded promptly to the emergency. Phagwara fire station personnel rushed to the scene with two fire tenders and successfully extinguished the blaze within approximately 30 minutes of receiving the alert.
Police officials from the local precinct also arrived quickly to manage traffic and ensure the safety of other commuters. The incident caused significant traffic disruption on the busy highway during morning peak hours, with vehicles being diverted temporarily while emergency services worked to control the situation.
Investigation and Safety Implications
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary assessments suggest an electrical short circuit might have triggered the blaze. The vehicle, a mid-sized sedan, was completely destroyed in the incident, reduced to a charred shell by the intense heat.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder for vehicle owners to regularly maintain their cars and conduct proper electrical system checks. The family's quick thinking and immediate action undoubtedly prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
Authorities have advised motorists to remain vigilant about unusual smells or smoke from their vehicles and to pull over safely at the first sign of trouble. They also emphasized the importance of keeping fire extinguishers in vehicles as a basic safety measure.
