Yogesh K Porwar
A chemical-laden truck travelling from Chennai towards Mumbai overturned and caught fire on NICE Road near Anjanapura a few metres after crossing the Kanakapura toll plaza towards Bengaluru,triggering a massive traffic jam that stretched for nearly four kilometres on either side on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 12.30 pm when the truck reportedly suffered a tyre burst,causing the driver to lose control.
The vehicle veered off the road and toppled into a stormwater drain.Within seconds,flames engulfed the truck, and one of the chemical tanks exploded.
According to the driver,the accident was caused by a tyre burst.The truck was carrying four separate tanks containing chemical substances,including a highly flammable solvent.The nature of the chemicals and the exact circumstances that led to the fire are yet to be established.
Seven fire tenders rushed to the spot,and firefighters battled the blaze for nearly three hours before bringing it under control.
Given the risk of further explosions,fire and emergency services personnel secured the surrounding area and took precautions to contain the incident in a controlled manner to minimise damage.
Firefighters used foam to douse the flames, as water alone had little effect on the chemical fire.The driver and his assistant reportedly escaped with minor injuries.
The accident brought traffic on both sides of NICE Road to a near standstill, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing long queues extending up to four kilometres.
Police personnel secured the area and diverted traffic onto adjoining roads to ease congestion and facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles.
The police are awaiting an expert report to establish the cause of the accident and identify the chemicals being transported.
The driver’s claim of a tyre burst will also be examined as part of the investigation, and further legal action will follow based on the findings.
