At least five persons died and 37 persons suffered injuries in a major fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer national highway during the early hours of Friday. The massive fire broke out after a truck loaded with chemicals collided with other trucks outside a petrol pump on the highway.
According to police, five persons were burnt alive and fire personnel faced difficulties in getting closer to the vehicles due to the massive fire. "Five people have died and 37 are injured," Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph told PTI. Police said 30 trucks and other vehicles were gutted in the fire.
Manish Gupta, Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhankrota police station 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."
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma condoled the loss of lives in the incident and visited the injured undergoing treatment at the SMS Hospital. Sharma tweeted, “Deeply saddened to hear the news of casualties in the gas tanker fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident was received, I went to the SMS Hospital and directed the doctors there to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured. Rescue work by the administration is underway.” Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief minister and inquired about the incident.
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Rescue operations are continuing in the area. Traffic movement has been affected on the highway due to the accident and police set up a traffic corridor to rush injured to the hospital.