Almost 300 vehicles have been destroyed in a massive fire that broke out at the parking lot of the Yelahankha airbase in Bengaluru where ‘Aero India 2019 show’ is going on.
According to officials the cause of the fire might be a lit cigarette that was thrown on the grass in the open ground.
Huge clouds of thick black smoke was seen in the sky near the Yelahanka air base situated in north part of Bengaluru, where nearly hundred aircraft have been parked for the biennial Aero India 2019 event.
MN Reddi, senior police officer said the fire spread quickly because of dry grass and strong breeze. Hundreds of vehicles that included 2-wheelers as well as cars were seen parked in records in the open field, surrounded by blaze. 10 Fire Force along with 5 other fire engines were immediately rushed to the spot.
No injuries have been reported and the fire has also been brought under control.
Mr. Reddi tweeted, "Fire in the open field parking space of aero show. Nearly 20 cars burnt. Fire fighting operations by Chief Fire Officer and 10 water tenders staff under way (sic)".
The air show was suspended temporarily after the fire spread and no planes were allowed to take off from the airbase till the fire was completely extinguished.
The latest incident comes less than a week after 2 jets of the Indian Air Force's Suryakiran Aerobatic squad crashed due to mid-air collision over the air base. One of the three pilots in the jet had lost his life.
The 5-day air show kicked off on 20th February and will end on 24th February.
