Four burnt alive as ambulance ferrying newborn to Ahmedabad catches fire near Modasa

In a devastating incident in Aravalli district, four people, including a one-day-old newborn, its father, a doctor and a nurse, were burnt alive after an ambulance caught fire near Ranasaiyed Chowki close to Modasa around 1 am on Monday. The ambulance, which belonged to Orange Hospital in Ahmedabad, was on its way to the city with the newborn when the blaze erupted. CCTV footage from the roadside captured the horrifying scene.

According to officials, the incident took place near a petrol pump on the Modasa–Dhansura road. Fire is suspected to have broken out suddenly due to a short circuit, engulfing the rear section of the vehicle where four occupants were seated.

As per details from Modasa Police Station, Jigneshbhai Mochi, a resident of Lunawada in Mahisagar district, was transporting his one-day-old baby from Rich Hospital in Modasa to Orange Hospital in Ahmedabad for further treatment. The ambulance sent from Ahmedabad reached Modasa for pick-up, and the family set out towards the city shortly afterwards.

However, moments after passing Ranasaiyed Chowki, flames erupted inside the vehicle, trapping those seated in the rear compartment. All four died on the spot.

Fire Officer of Modasa Fire Station said a call reporting the fire was received on the emergency line 101 at 1.40 am. A fire tender was immediately dispatched, and the blaze was brought under control soon after.

Gaurang Mochi, who lost his brother and niece, said they had travelled from Lunawada to Modasa earlier that night to collect medical reports and follow the doctor’s advice for further treatment.

The ambulance arrived from Ahmedabad to take the baby there. While they were travelling, the ambulance suddenly caught fire. His brother, the doctor, the nurse and the newborn were trapped and burnt alive. Gaurang, his mother and the ambulance driver, all seated in the front cabin, managed to escape with injuries.

The deceased have been identified as Jigneshbhai Mochi (38), Lunawada, Mahisagar (father), Newborn baby of Jigneshbhai (1 day old), Rajkaran Retia (30), Chandkheda, Ahmedabad(doctor) and Bhuriben Manat (23), Odha Bhadvach, Aravalli (nurse)

While the three others are injured and undergoing treatment, the ambulance driver had stopped the vehicle when flames erupted. Three occupants who were in the front cabin sustained minor to moderate burns and were admitted for treatment. Ankitbhai Thakor (24), Ahmedabad (ambulance driver), Gaurangkumar Mochi (40),(Jigneshbhai’s brother) Lunawada and Gitaben alias Jayshriben Mochi (60), Lunawada (Jigneshbhai's Mother)

Police begin probe

Modasa Town Police reached the spot soon after the fire was reported. An accidental death case has been registered under Sections of BNS. Police officials said a detailed investigation has been launched to identify the exact cause of the blaze, and technical and forensic examination of the gutted ambulance are under way.