Bulk carrier catches fire on Bargawan bypass in Singrauli, driver flees

Bhopal: A major accident was averted in Singrauli district after a bulk carrier loaded with fly ash caught fire on the Bargawan bypass of the National Highway late Thursday night, police said.The vehicle was travelling from Uttar Pradesh towards the Satna-Rewa region when flames reportedly broke out while it was in motion near Bargawan around midnight. The fire spread rapidly and engulfed the entire truck within minutes, leaving the vehicle completely gutted.Police said the driver, identified as Rakesh Kumar, noticed the fire in time and jumped out of the vehicle, escaping without any serious injuries. His quick action helped avert a potentially fatal incident.After receiving information about the blaze, police rushed to the spot and called in fire tenders from a private company. Firefighters battled the flames for a considerable time before bringing the situation under control. However, by then the bulk carrier was reduced to a charred shell.Preliminary investigation suggests that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be established. Police have initiated an inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.The fire also affected traffic movement on the highway for some time as authorities imposed restrictions to ensure public safety. Normal vehicular movement was restored after the blaze was extinguished and the area was cleared.