Jaipur: 5 dead in massive fire after collision of chemical-laden truck near petrol pump
Five people died and over 35 others were injured after truck carrying chemical collided with other trucks and caught fire in front of a petrol pump on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on Friday morning, police said. The incident took place in Bhankrota area.
According to preliminary information, the truck that hit the other vehicles was loaded with a chemical. Videos taken from a distance of the accident site showed thick plumes of smoke arising from the vehicles that caught fire.
Some people sustained burn injuries in the incident, police said.
“The fire engulfed several trucks. The number of trucks involved in the incident is not clear. Some people with burn injuries have been rushed to hospitals in ambulances,” PTI quoted Station House Officer (SHO), Bhankrota, Manish Gupta, as saying.
A nearly 300-metre stretch of the highway was affected by the accident, leading to traffic movement getting stopped and a long queue of vehicles. Meanwhile, a traffic corridor was opened to transport the injured people to the SMS Hospital.
Jaipur District Magistrate Jitendra Soni said around 40 vehicles caught the fire in the incident, adding that most of the blaze was under control.
Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhankrota Manish Gupta said, “It was very difficult to control the fire. Fire brigade teams were not able to reach the burning vehicles. There were three petrol pumps in the affected area but fortunately, they are safe.”
More than 25 ambulances reached the spot and shifted the victims to the hospital.
Shah speaks to Rajasthan CM
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was seen at the hospital where the injured have been admitted. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to get information about the fire incident.
“Around 24-25 people have been admitted to the ICU. More people are coming. Many people have been injured in the incident. It is a severe accident…,” SMS Medical College Principal, Dr Deepak Maheshwari said.
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma said in a post on X, “I am deeply saddened to hear the sad news of casualties of citizens in the gas tanker fire incident on Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident was received, I went to SMS Hospital and directed the doctors to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured. Rescue work by the administration is continuing. The local administration and emergency services are working with full readiness.”
“I pray to God to grant the departed souls a place in his supreme abode, give the bereaved families strength to bear this immense loss and provide speedy recovery to the injured,” the post added.
In another fire incident from Jaipur, a massive blaze broke out at a market in the MI Road area on Wednesday evening, gutting three shops, police said.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
Hawa Singh, SHO of Jalupura Police Station, said the fire occurred at around 8.15 pm. Locals alerted the authorities, and the fire department was quickly informed.
“I was patrolling when, at around 8:15 pm, a local informed me about the fire in a shop in the car market. I immediately informed the control room. The fire brigade arrived and controlled the fire. There were no injuries or casualties. Three shops were affected, and the extent of the loss is yet to be determined. The fire was brought under control within an hour,” said the SHO.