Mangalore:  The front portion and the engine of a Skoda  Octavia car was gutted in a fire that broke out in the engine of the car on the night of January 21, Monday near Kottara Junction.

The mishap took place when the car owner Munaf Sheikh along with a friend was on way to Pune from Kasargod. The two rushed out of the vehicle as soon as they sensed smoke in the bonnet. When they could not open the bonnet, they called the police and the fire service personnel who arrived at the spot, doused the fire.

The overheating of the engine is suspected to be the cause of the fire.  A large number of people had gathered at the place on hearing the news.