At least one person has died and several others are feared dead in a massive fire that broke out after a truck collided with multiple vehicles near a petrol pump on Ajmer Road in Jaipur, Rajasthan, early Friday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 am when a parked CNG tanker caught fire due to the collision.
The blaze quickly spread, engulfing several vehicles parked nearby, including cars and trucks. Visuals from the site show towering flames and thick black smoke visible from several kilometers away. Efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing, with rescue teams rushing victims to nearby hospitals.
Preliminary reports suggest that the truck involved in the collision was carrying chemicals, potentially exacerbating the fire. “The fire has engulfed several trucks, and the exact number of vehicles involved is unclear. People with burn injuries have been rushed to hospitals,” Bhankrota Station House Officer Manish Gupta told our reporter.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited the hospital to meet the victims and oversee the relief efforts. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties, but officials fear the toll could rise.
This incident comes days after a similar tragedy in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district, where two truck drivers lost their lives after a collision caused their vehicles to catch fire. Traffic on the highway was halted until the fire was brought under control.
The Jaipur fire serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by hazardous materials and road accidents. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collision and subsequent fire.