Alappuzha: Police have registered a case and seized a car for allegedly obstructing a fire tender responding to a major blaze in Alappuzha, officials said on Thursday.

The case has been filed against Sujith, police added.

The incident took place on Wednesday after a fire broke out at Tharavoor Government Hospital. Fire tenders from nearby stations were initially dispatched, but the blaze could not be contained immediately, prompting authorities to send additional units from Alappuzha.

According to police, one of the responding fire tenders was delayed near Ponnamveli in Pattanakad when a car driven by Sujith allegedly refused to give way. Despite the siren being activated and repeated honking by the driver, the car was reportedly driven slowly in the middle of the road, preventing the emergency vehicle from overtaking.

Police said the obstruction continued for several kilometres before the driver eventually moved aside, allowing the fire tender to pass.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel recorded a video of the incident, which was later handed over to the police as evidence.

Based on a complaint, Pattanakad police registered a case on Wednesday night. The vehicle was subsequently traced, and Sujith was summoned to the police station on Thursday, where his car was seized.

Sujith has claimed that he did not hear the fire tender’s siren, police said. Authorities are also investigating whether he was using a mobile phone while driving at the time of the incident.