Mumbai: Motor mechanic douses flames, saves children from burning van

A fire broke out in a private school van near Lower Parel State Transport (ST) on Tuesday while the driver was dropping students from Green Lawns School back home. A motor mechanic saved the lives of the 5 children.

"I heard a strange sound and saw a school van on fire. I rushed to help the children who were inside the van. I took the fire extinguisher from my garage and started to douse the flames. I am not scared to help people," said Aman Pasi, a mechanic at Landmark automotive, Lower Parel.

In a shocking sight, people were also observed taking pictures of the van burning and not attempting to rescue the trapped children.

Although working for the school, the van belonged to a private owner. Ravindra Vinerkar was driving the vehicle. The driver's family is now claiming innocence in the incident. "My husband has been driving this van for past 10 years and no such incident has ever happened. I am very scared because of this loss. We are not wealthy enough to buy a new one. Our livelihood was depended on this van," said Rohini Ravindra wife of the driver to DNA.

PSI Waghmare, Sub Inspector at Dadar police station, said, "The van caught flames due to sparking. Fire brigade and the nearby residents helped to extinguish the fire. No casualty or injury was reported in the mishap. The case has been filed in the Dadar Police station."

The office of the Principal of Green Lawn school did not respond despite multiple attempts to elicit a response.