ISLAMABAD – Nearly 300 vehicles were destroyed after a fire broke out inthe parking lot of the site of an air show in India’s Bengaluru Saturdayafternoon.
Officials say the cause of the fire could be a lit cigarette that wasdisposed on the grass in the open field, reported *NDTV.*
Huge plumes of thick black smoke could be seen in the sky near theYelahanka air base in north Bengaluru, where about 100 aircraft were parkedfor the biennial Aero India 2019 event.
Senior police officer MN Reddi said the fire spread rapidly due to drygrass and strong winds. Hundreds of vehicles, including two-wheelers andcars, were parked in the open ground surrounded by fire.
The fire, which started at 11:55am Indian Time was controlled and noinjuries were reported. A statement from the Indian defence ministry saidthe parking area is located well away from the venue, on the other side ofthe highway.
Read Top Stories
“IAF immediately launched one helicopter for aerial assessment, thehelicopter assisted by providing effective directions to fight the fire.The fire was brought under control by deploying more than 12 fire fightingvehicles,” the statement said. Officials have called for an inquiry intothe cause of fire.
The air show was temporarily suspended and no planes took off from theairbase until the fire was completely extinguished.
