Scrap SUV Catches Fire on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway in Vellore

Vellore North police have registered a case and an investigation is under way after a scrap SUV caught fire on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway.

The incident occurred around 8.30 a.m. at Shenbakkam, within Vellore Corporation limits, when the vehicle was being towed towards a godown on the outskirts of Vellore town.

Driver disconnects vehicle before fire spreads

Police said the 42-year-old driver, K. Murugan, a resident of Vellore, escaped unhurt.

The scrap SUV caught fire after its tyres came in contact with the metal frame of the vehicle towing it, police said.

Smoke was coming from the SUV’s rear tyres, but the driver did not notice it and continued towing the vehicle, according to police.

The fire subsequently spread to the SUV.

Motorists who noticed the smoke alerted the driver, following which he steered his vehicle towards the side of the road and stopped.

He then immediately disconnected the towing vehicle from the scrap SUV before the fire could affect it, police said.

The SUV was being taken to the godown to be dismantled for scrap.

Fire brought under control after nearly an hour

Local residents alerted the Vellore town Fire and Rescue Services after the vehicle caught fire.

A six-member team led by R. Gopala Krishnan, Station Fire Officer-in-Charge, Vellore town, battled the blaze for nearly an hour before bringing it under control.

The scrap vehicle was completely gutted in the fire.

Traffic on the national highway was not affected because there were not many vehicles on the road when the incident occurred.

The case registered by Vellore North police and the ongoing investigation will examine the circumstances in which the scrap vehicle caught fire while it was being towed.

Source: The Hindu