Bhubaneswar arson: CCTV captures suspect pouring petrol before setting car ablaze

An arson incident in Bhubaneswar has raised serious concerns over public safety after a car was deliberately set on fire late last night in Chintamaniswar area of the State Capital. CCTV footage surfaced on Friday that captured a suspect while he was pouring petrol before setting the luxurious vehicle on fire.

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The incident occurred around 3.00 AM in the locality under Laxmisagar police limits. The blaze was so intense that the four-wheeler was completely reduced to ashes. Two more cars parked nearby suffered partial damage.

Initially suspected to be a case of short circuit after an electric wire snapped and fell onto the burning vehicle, the situation took a dramatic turn when CCTV footage revealed the truth.

“The electrical wire was hanging very low after getting snapped, and it was sparking just like firecrackers on Diwali, on both sides. I thought it was a short circuit, which is why the car was burning, so I informed the electricity department. But it is clearly a pre-planned act; you can see it all in the footage. He comes with a cloth wrapped around his face near my house. I have CCTV cameras installed all around, so he is clearly caught. He comes very confidently with a cloth covering his face and moves around. I had seen,” a woman resident said.

The footage shows an unidentified individual roaming near the parked vehicles around 2.45 AM with a container believed to contain petrol. Moments later, the suspect is seen pouring the liquid onto a car and setting it on fire before fleeing the scene.

Police have launched an investigation and suspect that the act may have been carried out due to past enmity. Officials are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area and believe the accused may be a youth under the influence of alcohol.