SUV, carrying govt documents, bursts into flames near Fort William, driver narrowly escapes death

A major scare gripped a busy area of Kolkata when an SUV suddenly burst into flames on the road directly opposite the historic Vijay Durg (Fort William). The dramatic incident caused immediate alarm and traffic disruption as the four-wheeler quickly became engulfed in fire, turning the vehicle into a raging inferno. Alert passersby and on-duty traffic police immediately sprang into action to manage the chaos and ensure public safety before emergency services arrived.

The vehicle, a large SUV, was reportedly traveling from the Burrabazar area of Kolkata and was headed toward Ranchi, carrying a significant amount of goods intended for a government official in Jharkhand. As the driver proceeded near Vijay Durg (Fort William), smoke was suddenly observed emanating from the bonnet area. Recognizing the immediate danger, the quick-thinking driver pulled over and evacuated the vehicle without delay.

Eyewitnesses report that the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire car within moments of the driver exiting. The immediate response from the area's traffic police was crucial in controlling the situation on the street and ensuring that no one approached the burning vehicle, effectively preventing a potential disaster on the busy road. They promptly alerted the fire department and local police.

Firefighters responded swiftly to the emergency call, deploying one engine to the location. The team of fire personnel successfully brought the intense blaze under control after a concentrated effort. Crucially, before the fire could completely spread throughout the vehicle's cabin, the driver and police managed to retrieve all the cargo from inside the SUV.

According to the vehicle’s handler, Manoj Kumar, all the items—which included various goods required for a fair scheduled to start in Ranchi on October 9—were successfully removed and saved from destruction, confirming that the contents were unharmed despite the extensive damage to the car itself. Kumar expressed relief for the rescued goods but noted the loss of the vehicle, now having to arrange alternative transport to ensure the fair materials reach their destination on time.