A light motor vehicle caught fire on National Highway-44 near Shalgadi Nallah in Banihal on Monday evening, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. All passengers travelling in the vehicle were reported safe, though the vehicle sustained significant damage.
The Chenab Times has learned that the Toyota Hyryder, bearing registration number JK05Q-7666, was travelling from Baramulla towards Jammu when the incident occurred near Shalgadi Nallah. Soon after the fire erupted, police personnel, local volunteers, the Fire and Emergency Services, and an ambulance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reached the scene to manage the situation and control the blaze.
According to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Banihal, Aashiq Hussain Lone, the two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Rafiq Ahmed, son of Habibullah Khan, and Bashir Ahmed, son of Mohammad Kamal Mir, both residents of Baramulla and Kupwara respectively, managed to escape the burning vehicle unharmed. The immediate evacuation of the occupants ensured no casualties resulted from the incident.
The vehicle was completely consumed by the fire following the accident. The exact cause of the accident and the subsequent ignition of the vehicle is currently under investigation. Police have initiated proceedings to determine the circumstances that led to the vehicle catching fire.
National Highway-44 is a critical arterial road connecting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with other parts of India. Incidents of vehicles catching fire, while rare, can cause significant disruption to traffic flow and pose risks to commuters. Emergency services on the highway are typically equipped to respond swiftly to such situations, ensuring minimal disruption and providing immediate assistance.
The prompt arrival of the police and fire tenders at the scene helped in dousing the flames and preventing the fire from spreading to nearby areas or causing further damage to the highway infrastructure. The NHAI’s presence with an ambulance also ensured that medical assistance was readily available if needed.
Authorities are expected to provide a detailed report on the cause of the fire once the investigation is complete. Such incidents underscore the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to safety protocols while travelling on national highways, especially during long journeys.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
