While the auto commuters escaped before the CNG cylinder exploded, the drivers have been injured but are out of danger.

On Wednesday afternoon, passers-by on Ghatkopar's 90 Feet Road witnessed a flaming auto rickshaw hiss by, crash into a parked car, and go up in flames, taking the car with it.While the two commuters in the auto escaped unhurt moments before the explosion, the drivers of the auto and the car have sustained injuries.

The incident occurred when Satyendra Dubey, 45, who was ferrying two people from Marol Naka to Govandi, reached Vikrant Circle at 90 Ft Road in Ghatkopar around 3 pm and heard a noise from the rear of his auto, which was followed by a sudden flash of heat.

In no time, flames began engulfing the vehicle, which Dubey struggled to bring to a halt along the footpath. But he lost control and rammed into a Santro parked by the road. Upon collision, the auto's CNG cylinder exploded and tongues of fire leapt outward. The car's driver, standing outside, couldn't escape in time and sustained injuries as well. “I felt some tugs and jerks and the auto began heating up. I realised the passengers had jumped out of the vehicle. I tried bringing it to a stop but it was too late. The CNG cylinder had exploded,“ said Dubey.

Ajit Ghagave, who runs a paan shop at the junction, described the scene: “The burning auto travelled a good 20 feet before it rammed into the car. We tried to douse the blaze with fire-fighting equipment from a nearby building, but there was no water in the hosepipe.“

Bystanders called up the fire brigade and rushed Dubey to Rajawadi Hospital. He had sustained 35 per cent burns. By the time the two fire engines arrived, the flames had spread to a Swift Dzire parked behind the Santro, before being subdued.

Rajesh Kewli, police inspector at Pant Nagar police station, said, “It was an accident and we have made a note of it. We have not registered a case against anyone. The driver's family has been informed.“

Arti Manohar Lund, the owner of the Swift Dzire, said, “I was just standing there, helplessly watching my car burn. There was nothing I could do, nor anybody I could blame.“



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