Moving car bursts into flames in Idukki, 5 Ayyappa devotees unharmed

Idukki (Kerala): A car travelling along the Kuttikanam stretch in Kerala’s Idukki district went up in flames on Sunday evening, but all five Ayyappa devotees on board managed to escape without injuries, authorities confirmed.

According to Fire and Rescue Service officials, the Peerumade fire station was alerted to the incident at approximately 4.30 pm after receiving an emergency call about a vehicle fire. Firefighters rushed to the location with two tenders and brought the blaze under control within minutes of arrival.

Officials said the occupants, pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, were returning after offering prayers at the Sabarimala temple when the incident occurred. The passengers reportedly noticed smoke emanating from the vehicle and quickly got out, preventing any casualties.

Fire officers indicated that initial observations point towards possible engine overheating as a likely trigger for the fire. However, they stressed that the exact cause would be established only after a formal examination.

The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) is expected to conduct a detailed probe into the incident to ascertain what led to the vehicle catching fire while in motion.