Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), April 18, 2026 — A major tragedy was narrowly averted on the Armori-Gadchiroli highway on Saturday morning when a moving car suddenly caught fire and turned into a blazing fireball.
The incident occurred between the villages of Churmua and Vasa. Fortunately, the swift thinking and absolute alertness of the driver ensured that both he and his son escaped the inferno completely unhurt.
A Harrowing Escape on the Way to an Exam
According to police sources, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Anil Dongarwar, was taking his son to Gadchiroli to appear for the highly competitive Sainik School entrance examination.
Shortly after passing Churmua village, Dongarwar noticed thick smoke billowing out from the car’s engine compartment. Initially assuming it to be a minor technical glitch, his instincts kicked in as the smoke rapidly intensified within seconds, indicating a severe fire.
Sensing the extreme danger, Dongarwar immediately steered the vehicle to the side of the highway, stopped the engine, and rushed his son out of the car. Just seconds after they abandoned the vehicle, the car erupted in massive flames, transforming into a terrifying fireball.
Scorching Heat Stokes the Inferno
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the scorching summer temperatures further intensified the blaze. The flames leapt so high that passing commuters and locals were terrified and did not dare approach the burning vehicle. Within a matter of minutes, the entire car was engulfed in the inferno.
Upon receiving the emergency alert, local police and a fire brigade unit rushed to the spot. The police quickly established a security perimeter to keep onlookers away, while firefighters battled the blaze. Despite their rapid response, by the time the fire was fully extinguished, the car had been completely gutted, leaving behind only a charred, skeletal frame.
Traffic Disrupted, Investigation Underway
The blazing incident caused panic on the highway, leading to a temporary disruption of traffic on the crucial Armori-Gadchiroli route. The police successfully diverted the vehicles and managed to restore normal traffic flow once the wreckage was secured.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest that a sudden technical malfunction in the engine or a massive short circuit could have triggered the devastating blaze.
