Car catches fire, woman charred to death

A woman was burnt alive and her husband was seriously wounded when their car caught fire suddenly on Saturday evening in South Delhi. "The fire was so instantaneous that the couple could not get out of the car, "said a police official.

According to the Delhi Fire Service officials, they received information around 5.53 pm that a running car has caught fire on the Nelson Mandela Marg and in front of the newly built DLF Mall.

Two fire engines and ambulances instantaneously rushed to the spot but could not save the woman identified as Shubha, 32. Her husband SK Kanji, who is battling for his life in Safdarjung hospital, works in a trading company in Gurgaon. The couple is from south Delhi's Aaya Nagar and hail from West Bengal.

"The car was completely burnt to ashes. Even the number plate was burnt. When we doused the flames, the woman was already charred to death and beyond recognition. Her skull was visible. She probably could not come out of the car because of the seat belt," said a fire fighting official. "Kanji who was driving has been admitted to Safdarjung hospital and is critical", he added.

The police said it was a petrol car as they did not find any gas cylinders inside. "By Prima Facie it looks like the car caught fire due to petrol leakage. We are ascertaining the reasons," said an investigating officer.