Pune: Fire Engulfs CNG Car at Katraj Chowk, Nobody Injured
Varad Bhatkhande
Katraj, 29th January 2024: Early this morning, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Fire Brigade received an urgent call at around 5:00 AM reporting a CNG vehicle on fire in Katraj Chowk. Upon arrival at the scene, emergency responders discovered that a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG car was engulfed in flames.
Fire Officer Pradeep Khedekar told Punekar News, “The fire broke out at around 5 am. Prima facie, it seems that the CNG tank, running without a halt, got hot, leading to the ignition.”
While CNG vehicles are generally considered safe, certain factors pose a fire risk. These include gas leakage, improper installation or maintenance, faulty components, collisions, unauthorised modifications, and rare natural causes. Leaks can result in flammable gas accumulation, while inadequate installation or maintenance may lead to gas leakage. Faulty components increase the likelihood of fire hazards, and collisions can damage the CNG system, causing potential fires. Unauthorised modifications compromise safety and rare events such as lightning strikes pose additional risks.
To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to follow safety guidelines, perform regular maintenance, adhere to installation standards, and take prompt action in the presence of gas odours or collisions. This includes shutting off the CNG supply and evacuating the area to ensure the safety of both occupants and bystanders.
#Pune: A four-wheeler (CNG) caught fire at Katraj Chowk early this morning. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze, and fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. pic.twitter.com/CzCiustH3v
— Punekar News (@punekarnews) January 29, 2024
Fire Officer Khedekar provided further details, stating, “The car was from Chiplun. A family from Chiplun came here, and after passing Katraj Ghat, smoke and fire started coming from the engine at Katraj Chowk. Fortunately, the people inside the car immediately got down and took away their belongings. The fire broke out immediately, but since the vehicle was not locked, there was no loss of life.”
The driver of the CNG car, identified as Rane, informed the fire brigade that they had filled the tank in Khed Shivapur, increasing the risk. Despite this, one fire vehicle and four personnel successfully brought the fire under control.
