Schaumburg woman rescued from burning vehicle on Eisenhower

A Schaumburg woman was rescued from a burning vehicle Saturday morning on the Eisenhower Expressway.

Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Tom Koch said the woman, 22-year-old Khushboo Jani, was not even aware there was a fire in her vehicle when an Illinois Department of Transportation driver persuaded her to pull over.

Even then, Koch said, "She did not want to get out of the car, because she couldn't understand the situation. Finally, he had to go and open the door and get her out of the car, because the car was on fire."

Koch said the woman, who was traveling eastbound near the California Avenue exit, was not aware of the fire because it had taken place in the engine compartment and she didn't spot the flames.

"Once the situation became apparent to her, she got out of the vehicle," he said.

Firefighters squelched the flames, and the vehicle was towed away. Jani's father, Bharat Jani, said the car is still in the garage with what is likely a problem with the radiator or a pump.

Jani, a student at Roosevelt University in Chicago, was on her way to a biology exam. With the help of police, who gave her a ride, she was able to arrive at school and complete the test.

"Everybody helped her out very well," Bharat Jani said.

Khushboo Jani was unavailable for comment Sunday morning. Her father, Bharat Jani, said she was at the library studying.

"We were scared," he said. "Now we feel very relaxed."