Patna: Panic gripped the busy Raja Bazar area of the city on Tuesday morning after a parked car caught fire near Pillar Number 73, triggering a massive blaze that spread to four nearby motorcycles, reducing them to ashes.
The incident occurred at around 6.30 am and briefly disrupted traffic movement in the area, leading to long queues of vehicles. According to officials, the fire broke out in a parked WagonR car and quickly intensified, engulfing four motorcycles parked nearby.
On receiving information, teams from the fire department rushed to the spot. Four fire tenders were pressed into service, and firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after considerable effort. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Fire officer Shashikant Sharma said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. “The fire started in a parked WagonR car and spread to four motorcycles. The exact reason behind the fire is still under investigation,” he said.
Traffic was temporarily affected due to the incident. Traffic officer Manmohan Sharma said movement in the area was briefly disrupted but has since been restored. “Traffic flow is normal now,” he added.
Eyewitnesses said the car owner had arrived at the Fashion City Mall with family members for shopping and left shortly after parking the vehicle. Vikas Kumar, store manager at City Centre, said the fire was noticed soon after the family exited the car. “We suddenly saw flames coming out of the parked vehicle. The family had already left the spot, so they escaped unharmed,” he said.
The fire also damaged vehicles belonging to staff of the Fashion City Mall parked nearby. All four motorcycles were completely gutted in the blaze.
Authorities are examining the incident to determine the cause of the fire, while officials said further details will emerge after the investigation.
