Over 300 Cars Gutted in Massive Fire at Aero India 2019, Bengaluru
No injuries have been reported so far.
Around 300 cars were gutted in a massive fire that broke out at the venue for Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka on Saturday, 23 February. The fire has now been extinguished by the fire brigade.
Vehicles got fire at parking area of #AiroIndia show at Yalahanka. Fire fighters On the spot.@DGP_FIRE @SunilagarwalI @KarnatakaVarthe pic.twitter.com/5YAk2izsDx
— Karnataka Fire Dept (@KarFireDept) February 23, 2019
In a statement, the Indian Air Force said that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the fire.
The News Minute reported that it could have been a lit cigarette that was thrown into the grass which may have started the fire.
Blaze Under Control, Flying Operations Resume
After much effort by the fire brigade, the blaze that spread across the parking lot has now been extinguished. After a brief halt, flying operations too have now resumed and the air display will continue as planned. There have been no injuries reported in the incident.
#AeroShowOpenParkingAreaFire
— M.N.Reddi, IPS (@DGP_FIRE) February 23, 2019
Totally about 100 cars burnt in the fire. Fire spread is controlled by creating a gap by removing adjacent cars. Fire under control now. No injuries or any harm to people reported. Likely cause: dry grass fire aided by heavy winds.
The spot where the fire had broken out is just a few kilometres from the location where the air show is being held.
Smoke seen at #AeroIndia2019. Cause of fire unknown. pic.twitter.com/mNBpmrAjft
— Arun Dev (@ArunDev1) February 23, 2019
The blaze started just moments after badminton star, PV Sindhu, took off in an LCA Fighter.
The Aero show will continue as scheduled for the fifth day on Sunday, news agency ANI quoted Indian Air Force PRO Anupam Banerjee, as saying.
This incident comes just days after Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, was killed in a mishap involving two aircraft of the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team.