Mandya: The members of a family had a narrow escape, after the car in which they were travelling caught fire after running over dry ragi stalks spread out on the road by farmers for threshing, in Rajenahalli village of K R Pet taluk.

Lecturer Dr. Santoshi, her mother Saubhagya, son Abhay, sister Malathi and nephew Phaneesh were returning to their home in Yelahanka in Bengaluru after visiting a temple at Ganjigere Kallahalli of K R Pet taluk, when the mishap occurred.

Farmers normally spread out dry stalks on roads in rural Karnataka to collect residual grains. It is the cheapest way to ensure that the edible part of the grain gets loosened from the husks and stalks after harvest, when vehicles run over them.

Unfortunately, the friction between the car and the dry stalks kept under scorching sun ignited a spark, which eventually engulfed the car. Passers-by on bikes alerted the car occupants of the imminent danger, after noticing the fire. All car occupants alighted immediately but the car went up in flames before fire service personnel could arrive at the spot.

Fire mishaps of this kind are on the rise in recent times. K R Pet rural police have registered a case based on the complaint lodged by the lecturer Dr. Santhoshi.