Bike catches fire on Boulevard

Srinagar, Dec 5: A motorcycle caught fire on the busy Boulevard Road near SKICC on Friday, triggering panic among commuters passing through the area.

Witnesses said the bike suddenly went up in flames, reportedly due to a technical glitch, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. “As soon as the flames erupted from the engine and within seconds the entire front portion was engulfed. Traffic came to a halt and people began running, thinking something major had happened,” said a commuter.

Officials said they rushed a fire tender to the spot after receiving the alert. Fire and Emergency Services personnel used fire extinguishers to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.

“We quickly reached the location and managed to control the blaze. No injuries were reported in the incident,” an official said. He added that the exact cause of the fire is being ascertained.

The incident led to a temporary disruption of traffic movement on the busy tourist stretch.