Ethanol tanker catches fire, major tragedy averted

Tribune News Service
Ambala, May 29

A major tragedy was averted after a tanker carrying ethanol met with an accident on Delhi-Amritsar national highway at around 8.40 am today. A canter rammed into the tanker and both the vehicles caught fire near the vegetable market. Drivers of both the vehicle fled away from the spot.

Due to impact huge quantity of ethanol spilled on the road and caught fire. No casualty or injuries were reported. However, traffic movement got affected for nearly two hours. Following the possibility of an explosion in the tanker, the police had diverted the traffic.

The police officials from Sadar and City police stations along with DSP (Headquarters) reached the spot. Five fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

According to information, the tanker carrying ethanol was on its way from Muzaffarnagar to Jalandhar. A tyre of the canter carrying aluminum bedding got burst and as a result, it crashed into the tanker.

Fire Officer Amar Singh said, “Fire tenders from Ambala City and Cantonment fire stations were pressed into service. The highway was blocked as a precautionary measure and the situation was totally under control.”

Duty Magistrate Vikram Singla said there was no known casualty and the traffic was restored after two hours.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Sultan Singh said, “The tanker carrying ethanol was on its way from Muzaffarnagar to Jalandhar. It was parked on national highway due to unknown reasons. A canter which was also on moving towards Punjab hit the tanker from behind. Drivers of both the vehicles fled away and only they can tell exact reason behind the accident.”

Sources said the police have contacted owners of the vehicles and they have blamed each other for the accident.