Car fire near Bhajanpura Metro Station, Delhi; driver escapes unhurt
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A moving car caught fire near Bhajanpura Metro Station in Northeast Delhi on Monday, 18 May, sending panic through morning commuters and bystanders. The driver escaped without injury, but the vehicle was completely gutted before firefighters could intervene.
How the Fire Unfolded
The driver was reportedly en route to attend to an urgent task when smoke began rising from the vehicle. Within moments, the car was engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke visible from a considerable distance. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received a distress call at approximately 7:30 am and dispatched a fire tender immediately to the site.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control after sustained efforts. Officials confirmed the driver stepped out of the vehicle just in time, averting any loss of life. The car, however, was reduced entirely to ashes.
Suspected Cause
According to the Delhi Fire Services, a short circuit is the suspected trigger, though no official confirmation has been issued. Investigators are yet to release a formal cause of the fire.
Second Delhi Vehicle Fire in Three Days
This incident follows a separate fire on 15 May, when at least 10 cars and two scooters were gutted at an MCD parking lot in Bihari Colony, Shahdara. In that incident too, no casualties were reported, though flames spread rapidly from vehicle to vehicle before firefighters could douse them. Police cordoned off the area to prevent onlookers from interfering with firefighting operations.
Videos from the Shahdara fire circulated widely on social media, showing vehicles engulfed in flames and dense smoke rising from the parking area. The back-to-back incidents have raised questions about vehicle fire safety and electrical system checks in the capital.
Response and Safety Concerns
Both incidents underline a pattern of vehicle fires in Delhi, particularly those attributed to electrical faults. Experts have previously flagged aging wiring and heat stress during summer months as contributing factors. With temperatures rising across the National Capital Region, fire services have been on heightened alert. The DFS has not yet issued a public advisory following either incident.