Puri: An auto rickshaw laden with crackers burst into flames on Monday near Badasankha in Puri district during a road show organised by the Red Cross Road Vinayaka Samiti to felicitate Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty.
All of a sudden the auto rickshaw caught fire following which the crackers in the vehicle exploded. Fortunately, no one was injured in the mishap, said sources.
"After the minister’s arrival, we took the vehicle to about 100 meters away from his car. Suddenly, we heard the sound of firecrackers exploding and the auto rickshaw bursts into flames in no time," the auto driver Ramesh Patra said, adding that locals threw water and managed to get the fire under control.
Meanwhile, police reached the spot and questioned Patra and locals about the incident.