Car catches fire, three of a family charred to death

Three of a family were charred to death when the car in which they were travelling caught fire at Manamai near here late last night.
The incident occurred at Manamai near Mamallapuram when the trio (a man, his wife and daughter) were returning to Chennai after visiting the place to take a look at a residential layout, police said.
The car's engine was idling for some time when it caught fire, they added.
The locals, who noticed the car catching fire alerted personnel of the Fire department and police.
Even before the blaze was fully doused by Fire and Rescue Services personnel, the car was gutted and the three passengers were charred to death.

A senior district police official told PTI that the cause of the incident was being investigated. The bodies were sent to Chengelpet Government Hospital for autopsy.