A large blaze erupted at an open parking area in Srirampuram, central Bengaluru, on Wednesday, destroying at least 150 vehicles that had been confiscated by the police. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to authorities.
The facility, spanning two acres and known as Jakkarayanakere, is used by Bengaluru’s law enforcement to store vehicles seized during criminal investigations. Officials stated that the fire started at approximately 10:55 am and quickly spread throughout the area.
Firefighters from five different units—Yeshwantpur, Dobbspet, Rajajinagar, and High Grounds—were deployed to control the fire, which ultimately destroyed 130 motorcycles, 10 auto-rickshaws, and 10 cars after a two-hour battle.
Srirampuram police have initiated a fire accident investigation, though the exact cause remains undetermined. Preliminary reports suggest that the dry grass covering the site may have been the spark that ignited the flames.
Jakkarayanakere has been used for vehicle storage since 2016, housing over 10,000 seized vehicles. Originally a lake over a century ago, the location has since been overtaken by dry vegetation, creating a fire hazard. Despite security personnel on-site, the facility’s poor maintenance has raised concerns. A vigilant security guard’s quick reaction helped prevent further damage when smoke was first spotted.
The presence of fuel in several motorcycles likely fueled the fire’s rapid spread, officials stated.
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