Car goes up in flames at Egmore

CHENNAI: In yet another sudden car fire in the city, a Maruti Omni van went up in flames near the Gengu Reddy Subway off Poonamallee High Road in Egmore on Wednesday. Traffic along the stretch, which had been turned into a one-way zone recently, was hit for a while as the raging flames attracted several onlookers who clogged the carriageway.According to the Kilpauk police, Gautam, a resident of Chetpet, had taken out the vehicle (TN 01 AB 9559), registered under his father’s company, from his house in the evening. He then filled in fuel at a petrol bunk near Sangam theatre. He noticed a spark in the car while switching over from petrol to LPG mode. Not taking any chances, he pulled over and jumped out of the car. Within minutes, flames engulfed the car. Policemen present at the spot cordoned off the area and pushed people away to safety. A few shutterbugs, who were seen clicking pictures using their phones, were asked by the police to maintain safe distance.Within minutes, a fire engine arrived and the flames were put out . Police said nobody was injured.