Narrow escape for driver as pick-up truck catches fire

A moving pick-up truck (chota haathi) caught fire under the Atam Park bridge here on Friday night.

The driver jumped out of the vehicle after seeing flames coming out of its engine. The truck was badly damaged due to the fire.

Passers-by gathered at the scene after noticing the flames and hearing screams of the driver and informed the police.

People also tried hard to extinguish the fire but it had spread a lot. The driver was returning to his home located at Dhuri Line near here after unloading goods from the bus stand.

ASI Karamjit Singh said the pick-up vehicle had been badly burnt in the fire. Fortunately, the driver was safe.

The fire brigade was informed but it arrived after half an hour, the ASI said.

To extinguish the blaze, police personnel brought water pipes from houses of residents and controlled the fire.

Later, the fire personnel arrived at the place and the flames were completely doused.