Truck driver burnt alive as CNG vehicle erupts in flames on flyover

A fatal accident on Friday night claimed the life of a truck driver after his Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicle caught fire. The truck, which had started from Transport Nagar carrying goods for delivery on Ferozepur Road, was plying along the elevated road. The driver lost control over the vehicle, which then rammed into the divider. The impact is believed to have triggered an explosion in the CNG cylinder, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

Witnesses said they heard a loud blast and then saw the truck fully engulfed in fire. The blaze was so intense that rescuers could not reach the driver, who was seen struggling to escape from the cabin. Tragically, he was burnt alive inside the vehicle. Fire brigade personnel were alerted around 10.30 pm.

Leading fireman Rajinder Singh said the driver got trapped in the wreckage and succumbed to the fire by the time the fire brigade team doused the flames.

The truck, belonging to Malwa Transport, was carrying items including blankets and medicines. Witnesses suspected that the vehicle was overloaded, particularly with blankets, which may have fuelled the rapid spread of the blaze.

Garbage fire sparks panic at Civil Hospital

Panic spread at the Civil Hospital on Saturday morning when a fire broke out in a heap of garbage located behind the blood bank within the hospital premises. Senior Medical Officer Dr Akhil Sarin said while the hospital staff took initial steps to control the blaze, help from the fire brigade was eventually required.

The fire was situated away from the main hospital buildings but still took nearly 45 minutes to extinguish completely. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.