A scooter caught fire near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, Punjab, causing panic on May 10, 2024. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM near the main gate of the BSF campus.
Initial reports suggest the scooter, a Honda Activa, belonged to a civilian identified as Gurpreet Singh, a local shopkeeper. He had parked it outside the BSF headquarters to deliver goods to a canteen supplier. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with authorities examining possibilities including a short circuit or overheating.
The fire triggered immediate response from BSF personnel and the Punjab Fire Brigade. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby areas or causing damage to BSF property. No injuries were reported.
The incident sparked considerable anxiety due to the location’s proximity to a sensitive security installation. Security was immediately heightened around the BSF headquarters following the fire. Police cordoned off the area and initiated a thorough investigation.
Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vatsala Gupta stated that a forensic team has been called to examine the scooter and determine the exact cause of the fire. The scooter has been taken into police custody for further investigation.
This incident follows a series of similar scooter fires reported in various parts of India, particularly involving electric scooters, raising concerns about battery safety and quality control. However, the scooter involved in the Jalandhar incident was a petrol-powered model, ruling out battery-related issues as the immediate cause, though a potential electrical fault is still being investigated. The police are exploring all angles to ascertain whether the fire was accidental or a deliberate act.
