Ludhiana, Sept. 19 -- A Maruti Suzuki Swift went up in flames near Janakpuri police post on Thursday night after its driver noticed smoke billowing from the bonnet while travelling between Cheema Chowk and Sufia Chowk. He immediately pulled over and scrambled out, escaping moments before the vehicle was engulfed by the blaze.

According to police, the driver, Ashu, a resident of Hargobind Nagar, was returning from Cheema Chowk after attending to some personal work when he noticed smoke and flames coming from the car's bonnet. He stopped the vehicle near the police post and jumped out before raising an alarm.

The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the diesel-powered car within minutes. An autorickshaw driver attempted to douse the flames usin...