Nagpur: Panic gripped commuters in Nagpur on Thursday afternoon after a moving Maruti van suddenly caught fire near Wathoda Chowk and turned into a massive fireball within minutes amid the city’s scorching heat conditions.
The dramatic incident created chaos on the busy road as thick smoke and towering flames engulfed the vehicle, forcing people nearby to run for safety. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape just in time, preventing what could have turned into a major tragedy.
Gold Rate
May 14- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
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 from the vehicle and spread rapidly due to the intense heat, leaving the driver with only seconds to react.
Showing presence of mind, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and jumped out before the fire consumed the entire van. Within moments, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames, drawing a crowd of shocked onlookers.
After receiving information, teams from the Nagpur Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched a firefighting operation. Fire personnel battled the blaze for a considerable time before finally bringing it under control.
However, by the time the flames were extinguished, a major portion of the van had been reduced to ashes.
Sources said the vehicle reportedly belonged to a nearby automobile dealer, and the driver was taking it for a customer demonstration when the incident occurred.
Initial investigation points towards a short circuit as the possible cause of the fire, though authorities are carrying out a detailed inspection to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident.
With Nagpur witnessing extremely high temperatures over the past few days, incidents of vehicles catching fire have become a growing concern. Experts believe excessive heat, poor maintenance and electrical faults increase the risk of such accidents during peak summer conditions.
Authorities have advised vehicle owners to conduct regular maintenance checks, especially of electrical wiring and cooling systems, to avoid similar mishaps.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but the frightening episode once again raised serious concerns regarding vehicle safety during the ongoing heatwave in Nagpur.
