Puttur: Car gutted in fire after gas balloon triggers electrical short circuit

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur, Jan 19, 2026: A car was gutted by fire due to an electrical short circuit after a gas balloon came into contact with an electric wire. The incident occurred on Sunday at Padumale, near the Sri Poomani–Kinnimani area and close to the Vyaghra Chamundi Daivasthana at Maindinadaka in the Padumale area of the Badagannur Gram Panchayat.

The incident took place while the annual temple festival was underway. The car had been parked near an electric pole within the temple premises. It is reported that a gas balloon from a nearby fair was blown by strong winds and struck an overhead electric wire.

As soon as the balloon touched the wire, a short circuit occurred, sending out sparks that reached the car parked a short distance away. Within moments, the car caught fire. Amid the flames, the car suddenly moved forward and crashed into the electric pole. During this time, sparks ignited the vehicle, causing it to burst into flames.

Local residents acted swiftly and managed to extinguish the fire. The car was partially damaged in the incident. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.