Kochi: Short circuit led to ambulance fire, feels Motor Vehicle Department

Kochi: The Motor Vehicle Department feels short circuit had caused the fire in the ambulance that led to the death of two persons near Muvattupuzha the other day.

The preliminary investigation points to a mishap caused by a short circuit, Muvattupuzha rural RTO A.K. Sasikumar told this newspaper. “This is our hunch as we were unable to collect any other solid evidence as the vehicle was totally gutted,” he said. A detailed forensic examination is needed to pinpoint the exact cause of the accident, he added.

The short circuit theory is also based on some eyewitness account saying that they have seen some sparks from underneath the vehicle before the fire engulfed it. The ambulance owned by Santhi Medical Information Centre is fitted with modern equipments including oxygen cylinder and support systems for heart patients was only three months old. Uma Preman, director of the centre said only a detailed forensic examination can bring out the cause of the accident. “It was a new vehicle and chance for any engine failure leading to such mishap is remote,” she said.

The ambulance carrying 72-year-old James of Varavukalyil House at Kattchira near Ettum-anoor from Wayanad and his daughter and other relatives were engulfed fire at Meenkunnam near Muvattupuzha.