Cab driver charred to death

A 36-year-old cab driver was charred to death when his car caught fire just a little distance from his house in north-east Delhi's Mandoli on Tuesday. The fire spread so rapidly that it jammed its auto-lock system leaving the victim, Sachin Tyagi, trapped inside, said the police.

Locked inside

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. when smoke started coming out of the Tata Indigo car parked opposite the Nand Nagri police station. Witnesses told the police that Tyagi, who was on the driver’s seat, tried to come out but before he could unbuckle the seatbelt, the fire had spread all over.

Poonam, who was witness to the incident, said that although people noticed the fire and even gathered around the car trying to douse the flames, they could not save Tyagi who was seen ramming the windows of the car desperately before falling unsconscious on the seat.

By the time the police teams and the fire brigade arrived and the fire was doused, Tyagi was charred to death. A senior police officer said Tyagi used to run the vehicle as a pick up and drop cab at a private company in Noida. On Tuesday night, he had dropped passengers and was to get back home for dinner. He would again leave for a trip late at night.

Faulty engine

Preliminary probe suggests that the fire might have broken out due to a problem in the engine of the vehicle. Forensic and mechanical experts are also examining the vehicle.

Possible sabotage

Tyagi's wife Mamata said that her husband had complained about metallic sounds coming from the vehicle a few days ago and was planning to get the same inspected. She said the vehicle was new and that the police should look into any sabotage angle as well.

A case under sections of causing death due to negligence under section 304 A has been registered against unknown person at the Harsh Vihar police station, said ADCP Devender Arya.