A vehicle fire in Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram, early Monday morning left one person dead. Police said the car caught fire around 5:30 a.m., and the sole occupant was burned to death.
Preliminary investigations identified the deceased as Titus Kurian, a resident of Ettumanoor in Kottayam. According to police, Kurian left his home late on Sunday after a family dispute and was travelling toward Thiruvananthapuram when the incident occurred.
Witnesses reported that smoke began to rise from the car as it reached Venganoor, and within moments the vehicle was engulfed in a large flame. The driver attempted to steer the car toward the roadside, but it struck nearby tree branches, causing the fire to spread to surrounding vegetation. The car’s alarm sounded, alerting nearby residents who called the Fire and Rescue Services and the police.
Onlookers tried to open the rear door to rescue the driver, but the intense blaze made their efforts futile. By the time emergency crews arrived, the car was completely gutted and the body was found severely charred, complicating immediate identification. Police used the vehicle’s registration details to confirm ownership and have informed Kurian’s relatives.
Authorities have launched an investigation, employing scientific methods to verify the victim’s identity and determine the cause of the fire. Police have not excluded suicide as a possible factor. A suicide prevention helpline, DISHA, is available at 1056 or 0471‑2552056.
