Narrow Escape on DME: Driver Jumps Out as Car Bursts Into Flames, Traffic Thrown Out of Gear
Ghaziabad, September 8, 2025 : A major tragedy was narrowly averted on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway (DME) late Monday night when an Ertiga car suddenly caught fire, forcing its driver to leap out to save his life.
According to fire department reports, the incident occurred around 8:11 p.m. near Krishna Inter College, San Vihar. The vehicle, bearing registration number UP 82 AU 9686, was being driven by Ashraf Khan, a resident of Etah district, who was returning home from Anand Vihar. As his car reached the IPEM College stretch, smoke began billowing from the bonnet. Realizing the danger, Khan quickly stopped the vehicle and managed to jump out moments before the flames engulfed it.
Eyewitnesses recounted hearing a loud blast-like sound, leading many to fear a CNG cylinder explosion. Within minutes, the fire spread across the vehicle, reducing it to a charred shell. Panic gripped the expressway as commuters scrambled to safety. Traffic came to a standstill, causing a heavy jam on the Delhi-to-Meerut side.
Locals and passersby tried to douse the flames but were overpowered by the intensity of the blaze. Fire tenders from Kotwali rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control after strenuous efforts. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Ashraf Khan, visibly shaken, said the car was barely 13 months old and had never shown any major technical issues. “It happened so suddenly, if I had been even a minute late, I might not be alive,” he remarked.
Officials confirmed that while the fire was extinguished, the vehicle was completely gutted. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with both the police and fire department probing possible technical faults or short-circuiting.
The incident once again highlights the safety risks posed by sudden vehicular fires on highways, underlining the need for stringent safety checks and rapid emergency response systems.
