A moving ambulance caught fire on the NH-27 Sonbarsa Overbridge in Gorakhpur. Due to the driver's quick thinking, the patient and attendants were safely evacuated. One person was injured when an oxygen cylinder exploded, and the fire brigade brought the fire under control.
Gorakhpur: On Sunday, a moving ambulance suddenly caught fire on the NH-27 Sonbarsa Overbridge in the AIIMS police station area. The ambulance was carrying 60-year-old patient Neelam Devi and three of her family members. Due to the prompt and judicious action of driver Santosh Kumar, everyone safely evacuated. However, one youth was injured when an oxygen cylinder exploded. The fire and explosions caused chaos at the scene and led to a long traffic jam on the road.
Fire Caused by Short Circuit in Ambulance
According to police and local sources, smoke suddenly began to emanate from the ambulance due to a short circuit in the AC. Within a short time, the flames intensified. Driver Santosh Kumar immediately stopped the vehicle and decided to evacuate the patient and her attendants.
At this moment, the oxygen cylinder kept in the ambulance exploded. The loud blasts and flying debris from the cylinder caused panic among people standing nearby. Flames rose up to 15 feet high, and a plume of black smoke spread across the entire overbridge.
Injured Youth Receiving Treatment After Explosion
At the time of the explosion, a youth named Monu (28), son of Ramprith, who was standing nearby, was hit by fragments of the cylinder. He was immediately admitted to a nearby private hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. All other individuals managed to evacuate safely, averting a major loss of life.
Onlookers began filming the incident, but after the explosions, an atmosphere of fear and chaos ensued. The sight of the incident and the plume of smoke instilled fear in witnesses and passersby.
Fire Brigade and Police Action
Upon receiving the information, the AIIMS police station team and the fire brigade promptly arrived at the scene. After approximately half an hour of arduous effort, the fire was brought under control. During this time, a long traffic jam had formed on the road, which the police managed.
The FIR and preliminary investigation revealed that the ambulance was traveling from Varanasi to Bihar. Patient Neelam Devi had been admitted to a trauma center four days prior following an accident and was returning home after being discharged on Sunday. Her leg and waist were in a plaster cast, requiring special care.
Driver's Presence of Mind Averted Major Loss of Life
Driver Santosh Kumar's swift reaction and prudence averted a major loss of life. He immediately stopped the vehicle, safely evacuated the patient and family members, and attempted to control the fire before it spread. Experts state that had everyone not evacuated before the oxygen cylinder burst, the incident could have been far more catastrophic.
This incident once again highlights the importance of safety standards and emergency response. The Gorakhpur administration has initiated an investigation into the fire, and technical defects in the involved vehicle are being identified.
