A fire broke out in the general parking area of the Aero India at the front of Yelahanka Air Base here, damaging over 300 vehicles.

The billowing smoke was spotted at the end of the morning aerobatics display on Saturday and caused mild panic. Earlier on Tuesday, just a day before the commencement of the show, a plane had crashed during rehearsals.

Defence officials, however, attempted to keep the calm at the Air Base. “The fire and smoke you see that from normal domestic fire of dried leaves. There is nothing to worry,” said repeated announcements during the show which has seen the largest number of visitors so far.

Ten fire tenders have been deputed, as per last report.

Chief of Fire & Emergency Services DG Fire M. N. Reddi said that over 300 vehicles were gutted in the fire that broke out at the Gate 5 of the general parking area. The cause of the fire is unknown, but is believed to have started as a ground fire from the dried grass in the parking lot.