Mir Iqbal
SRINAGAR, Jan 15: A speedy petrol tanker caught fire and exploded after its driver lost control over it and hit the transmission line in Pampore town last night on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Locals said that smoke and fire started emanating from the tanker after it hit HT transmission line late last night at Frestabal area.
“The tanker exploded instantly with splinters hitting several nearby shops, in which three shops were damaged,” the locals said, adding, the blasts could be heard as far as 5 kilometers far from the spot.
Firefighting tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames emanating from the vehicle.
Locals, however, alleged that local firefighting tenders were not fully prepared at the time of incident. “Scores of fire fighting tenders rushed from nearby Srinagar city to control the fire,” they said.
The inhabitants also said that electricity supply was affected in the area after the incidents.
SHO Pampore Raja Tasleem told Excelsior that it was miracle that there was no loss of life despite huge flames emanated from the fuel tanker. “Two persons were also sleeping inside a shop, who had a narrow escape,” he said.
He said the driver was injured in the incident and had narrow escape. “The driver of the tanker is absconding and we have launched a manhunt to nab him,” he said, adding, FIR 10/2015 was also registered against the driver.
In the meantime, people of the town staged massive protests against the Government and demanded another Fire station in the township to avoid such tragedy in future.
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