COIMBATORE: A moving sports utility vehicle (SUV) suddenly caught fire on Avinashi Road near Thennampalayam on Monday night. The driver and co-passenger managed to escape unhurt.

Police said Thulasimani, from Karanampettai in Tirupur district, who was engaged in scrap business had come to the city for a business trip and was returning home in the SUV. The vehicle was driven by Naveen, while Thulasimani was riding shotgun.
When they neared Thennampalayam, Naveen detected smoke coming out of the engine bay and moved to the service road. A fire suddenly broke out and both of them managed to quickly exit the SUV.
They alerted the fire and rescue services personnel, who rushed to the spot. The firemen put out the fire after a 20-minute battle. However, the vehicle was gutted completely by then.
A probe is on to ascertain the cause of the fire.