A mid-day meal delivery van burst into flames on the National Highway near the old Saraighat Bridge in Guwahati’s Jalukbari area on Thursday morning, causing significant alarm and bringing traffic to a standstill. The incident occurred during the busy morning rush as the vehicle, which was tasked with distributing meals to local schools, was suddenly engulfed in fire. The sight of the burning vehicle on one of the city’s primary transit routes triggered immediate concern among commuters and residents in the vicinity, leading to a visible sense of panic as the blaze intensified.
Emergency services were alerted shortly after the fire erupted, prompting fire tenders to rush to the scene. Firefighters acted quickly to douse the flames and secure the perimeter, ensuring the fire did not spread further along the highway. In a fortunate turn of events, both the driver and the handyman who were inside the van at the time managed to exit the vehicle just in time. Their quick actions allowed them to escape the situation unharmed, and authorities have confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the accident.
The fire resulted in extensive traffic congestion across the Saraighat Bridge, a vital link for the city’s transport network. Movement was severely restricted for a significant duration, leaving many peak-hour commuters stranded while emergency operations were carried out. Initial reports indicate that the van was traveling from Amingaon toward Jalukbari when the fire broke out. The disruption impacted the flow of vehicles for a considerable period, highlighting the sensitivity of this stretch to such unforeseen road incidents.
While the fire was eventually extinguished and the area cleared, the specific cause of the ignition remains unknown. Local authorities have launched a formal investigation to examine the vehicle and determine the factors that triggered the blaze. For now, the situation has stabilized, though the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle safety for those operating on the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
