Man dies as car catches fire near Guntur; son pulled to safety

A 56-year-old man died after the car he was travelling in caught fire on the Sangadigunta-Ponnur Road in Guntur on Tuesday. His son, who was in the vehicle with him, was pulled out of the burning car, but the older man, identified as Tadikonda Harikrishna, could not be rescued.

According to a relative, Ganesh B., Harikrishna and his son Akhilesh had gone to a hospital earlier in the morning for dialysis. The fire broke out near their home as the car was returning, and the doors reportedly locked, trapping the occupants inside.

Local residents said flames suddenly erupted from the air-conditioning system. One of the two people in the car managed to get out, while the other, seated in the rear, remained trapped.

A Fire Services employee who was nearby rushed to the spot and managed to rescue Akhilesh. Harikrishna, however, could not be brought out and died on the spot. His body was found in the rear seat after the fire was brought under control.

Police reached the scene after being alerted by locals and began an investigation. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Guntur district Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal said the police were investigating the circumstances that led to the accident.