Major fire averted as empty oil tanker catches fire on highway

A major mishap was narrowly avoided when an empty oil tanker parked near Khera village on the Baddi-Nalagarh highway caught fire around 11:35 pm. Fortunately, nearby oil-laden tankers were swiftly driven away by alert drivers, preventing a potential disaster.

Upon receiving information, a team of firemen, along with two fire tenders from Nalagarh, rushed to the scene, according to Santosh Sharma, Commandant of Home Guards, Solan. While no injuries were reported, the fire caused an estimated loss of Rs 10 lakh, completely destroying the tanker.

Although the tanker was empty, inflammable oil residues intensified the blaze. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. The tanker, owned by Hindustan Petroleum, had reportedly been parked outside its depot at Khera village for several weeks.

Residents reported hearing three loud blasts as the fire erupted, prompting them to alert fire officials. The incident sparked public outrage, with locals criticising the parking of such hazardous vehicles in residential areas. They demanded that inflammable tankers be parked far from human settlements to avoid future risks, warning that the fire could have easily spread if not for the prompt response of the fire department.