Puri, Dec 29: A car caught fire on the Puri–Satapada National Highway near Panasapada petrol pump on Sunday evening, triggering panic among passersby. The driver and five tourists travelling in the vehicle narrowly escaped without injuries.

According to sources, the tourists had travelled from Puri to Satapada to visit Chilika Lake and were returning in the evening when a loud noise was heard from the rear of the car. The driver stopped the vehicle to check and found it had already caught fire. All occupants immediately got out and ran to safety.

Within minutes, the car was completely engulfed in flames and was gutted. Preliminary suspicion points to a possible CNG-related malfunction as the cause of the fire.

On being informed by local residents, fire services personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. A major mishap was averted due to the timely escape of the passengers. Further investigation is underway.