Toddler dies after passenger van catches fire

At least six other people, including the driver, suffered burn injuries

RAWALPINDI: A toddler died after she and six others were injured when the passenger van they were travelling in caught fire.

A Toyota Hiace passenger van travelling from Chakri village to Chungi 22 in Rawalpindi on Chakri Road caught fire near Chahan village.

As a result, six passengers and the driver received burn injuries. The condition of two of the passengers was described as critical.



Rescue workers were called in to tackle the blaze and tend to the injured. Subsequently, the injured were rushed to the burns unit at the Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi.

The injured were identified as two-year-old Alisha who was said to have suffered 10 per cent burns, 50-year-old Aurangzeb with over 90 per cent burns, 30-year-old Aftab with 10 per cent burns, 40-year-old Muhammad Rafique with over 95 per cent burns, 35-year-old Muhammad Shabir with over 80 per cent burns, and 45-year-old Lal Bibi with five per cent burns.

The van’s driver 45-year-old Fiazul Haq suffered 30 per cent burns as he tried to put the fire out.

Even though initial reports suggested that the girl’s injuries were not that severe and was receiving treatment at the HFH, doctors said she had succumbed to her wounds.

When contacted, Chauntra police station SHO Chaudhry Tanveer said that a police team had closely examined the burnt vehicle and determined that the fire had been sparked by an electric short circuit which set the van’s fuel tank on fire.



Tanveer added that the van’s driver Fiaz alias Faizi had suffered burn injuries when he tried to extinguish the fire and rescue the passengers.

Noting that the driver was under treatment at the HFH along with other passengers, the police officials said that they were likely to book Faizi under the relevant laws after consulting with senior officers.

He added that the police would also obtain details of the vehicle from the Regional Transport Authority including the last fitness certificate issued to the van.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2017.