A major mishap was averted when a police van caught fire near the Bhiwandi court on Wednesday afternoon, but the accused inside the van escaped unhurt and were taken to the court premises. The police van was coming from Adharwadi Jail to produce the accused in Bhiwandi court.
The van approximately had eight accused and ten police officers, but quick thinking by the van driver averted the accident. The incident took place around 2.30 p.m. near the circle adjacent to Bhiwandi court, police said.
PSI Karware of the Nizampura police station said, “A fire engine reached the spot within 15 minutes and doused the blaze, it seems that the van driver saw sparks in the engine wiring and he immediately informed the senior officer who was seated with the accused inside the van. All the accused alighted swiftly and were shifted to the other police van.”
Eyewitnesses said that the fire started from the engine and spread to the downward portion of the van. A huge crowd gathered to witness the fire near the Bhiwandi court.