Close shave for R Venkat Reddy

Jumps out of car before it went up in flames

Hyderabad : Minister for Horticulture Ramreddy Venkat Reddy had a providential escape from a major mishap while he was on his way from Warangal to Hyderabad on Sunday night. He was accompanied by his brother Krishna Reddy, personal assistant and four gunmen.

They were returning after an official programme in Warangal. The driver of the Innova car they were travelling noticed smoke emanating from the engine as the vehicle was passing through Singannagudem Cross Roads near Bhuvanagiri. He immediately pulled over the vehicle and they all got out hurriedly. As soon as they jumped out the vehicle, it caught fire and a major portion was gutted. It is a new vehicle. The Minister and his companions later left for Hyderabad in a private vehicle.

Speaking to The Hans India, Venkat Reddy said he was lucky enough to escape unhurt. He said he had a cup of tea at a roadside hotel after a long travel. Within minutes of resuming the journey, the driver noticed fire in the engine. They alighted from the vehicle promptly after sensing the danger as the doors were not yet locked.

The local officials were informed by his staff over phone, and soon fire tenders reached the spot and doused the flames but not before a major portion got reduced to ashes. The cause of fire in the moving vehicle was attributed to a short circuit caused by the battery pins.

The local police ruled out any scope for sabotage.