Vijaywada: In a horrific incident in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada A car with three persons inside it was set on fire on Monday. The three persons included a woman and according to the police, while all three were injured in the attack, one person sustained serious burn injuries in the incident.

A real estate dispute is suspected to be the reason for the attack.

The man who allegedly set the white car on fire - Venugopal Reddy - escaped from the spot and searches are on to catch him, V Harshavardhan Raju, a senior police officer in Vijayawada said.

The incident reportedly took place on Monday under Patamata police station limits.

"Venugopal Reddy was a business partner with Gangadhar some time ago. They used to buy and sell second-hand cars. However, their business did not run well. After incurring losses, Venugopal and Gangadhar parted ways," Vijayawada deputy commissioner of police (DCP) V Harshavardhan Raju told news agency ANI.

The officer said the accused had been trying to talk to Gangadhar but that the latter did not respond.

The police said Gangadhar, his wife, and one of his friends had gone to meet Venugopal Reddy on Monday.  "All four persons were discussing the matter in the car. At around 4.45 PM, Venugopal got down the car on the pretext of smoking a cigarette. He poured the petrol, which he brought in a whiskey bottle, on the car and set it ablaze. Venugopal Reddy ran away from the spot," the police officer said.

Police reached the spot after they received an alert of a burning car with people trapped inside. The police took the victims to a hospital. Gangadhar's wife was sent home after being given air and her husband was taken to a police station to record his statement.

A case will be filed after finishing the legal formalities, the officer said.