A CONTAINER carrying new electric cars was engulfed in flames en route from Mumbai to Hyderabad near Zaheerabad bypass, resulting in damage to eight vehicles, reports the Times of India.

The incident occurred in Ranjol area. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke billowing from the container as flames engulfed the vehicles inside. The blaze led to a traffic jam on the Mumbai highway.

According to the fire department, eight Tata Nexon EV cars caught fire while parked alongside the highway. A fire-fighting team from Zaheerabad station contained and extinguished the blaze.

Initial investigation revealed that the fire originated from the cabin area where the truck driver was cooking using a kerosene stove. The driver suffered minor injuries in the incident and was immediately shifted to Sangareddy govt hospital for treatment.

"A detailed assessment of the damage to both the container vehicle and the EVs is underway. The quick response prevented the fire from spreading to nearby areas and minimised potential risks to passing vehicles on the bypass road," a fire department official said.