Ghaziabad, India: A massive fire broke out in a truck carrying over 60 LPG cylinders at Bhopura Chowk on Delhi-Wazirabad Road in Ghaziabad early Saturday morning. The fire triggered multiple powerful explosions that could be heard up to three kilometers away, causing widespread panic among residents. While no casualties or injuries have been reported, the incident resulted in extensive damage to nearby shops and vehicles.

Blasts Cause Widespread Panic in the Area

The fire erupted unexpectedly while the truck was moving through the Thana Teela Mod area. According to eyewitnesses, the truck driver noticed the flames and immediately pulled over near a petrol pump, likely in an attempt to avoid endangering moving traffic. However, within moments, the fire spread rapidly, leading to a series of deafening explosions as the LPG cylinders began to explode one by one.

The intensity of the blasts was so strong that houses in the vicinity trembled, and residents rushed out in alarm. "We heard loud explosions, and it felt like an earthquake. The ground shook, and flames were rising high in the sky," said a local shopkeeper. Several residents captured the terrifying moments on their mobile phones, showing thick black smoke and fireballs erupting from the truck.

Shops and Vehicles Suffer Heavy Damage

The explosions caused severe destruction in the area, particularly affecting nearby businesses and vehicles. At least four furniture shops located close to the accident site were completely gutted, with nothing left but charred remains of wooden furniture and metal frames. Additionally, several vehicles parked near the truck, including cars and motorcycles, caught fire and were reduced to ashes.

Local shop owners have expressed their distress over the losses. "My entire shop has been burned down. Everything I had was destroyed within minutes. I don’t know how I will recover from this loss," said one of the furniture shop owners.

Firefighters Battle the Blaze for Over 90 Minutes

A total of eight fire tenders were rushed to the scene as firefighters battled to control the raging inferno. According to Chief Fire Officer Rahul Kumar, it took nearly 90 minutes to bring the fire under control due to the repeated cylinder explosions. "The fire was extremely intense due to the presence of highly flammable gas in the cylinders. The continuous explosions made it challenging to approach the truck initially. However, after coordinated efforts, we managed to douse the flames and prevent further spread," he said.

Firefighters worked relentlessly, using foam and water to contain the fire. Authorities also ensured that nearby buildings and the petrol pump were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, the fire did not reach the petrol pump, averting an even bigger disaster.

Authorities Investigating the Cause of Fire

Local police and fire department officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that a possible short circuit or overheating in the vehicle’s engine might have triggered the fire. However, authorities are also considering other factors, such as safety violations and improper handling of flammable materials.

"We are examining CCTV footage from the area and questioning the truck driver and eyewitnesses. It is crucial to determine whether proper safety measures were in place," said a senior police officer from Ghaziabad.

Residents Demand Strict Safety Measures

Following the incident, residents and local business owners have raised serious concerns about the transportation of highly flammable materials through crowded areas. Many have urged authorities to implement stricter regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.

"There should be designated routes for trucks carrying hazardous materials. Allowing them to pass through densely populated areas is extremely risky. Today, we were lucky that no lives were lost, but what if the petrol pump had caught fire? The consequences could have been unimaginable," said a worried resident.

Conclusion: A Close Call with Disaster

The Ghaziabad truck fire incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols when transporting hazardous materials. While no lives were lost, the extensive property damage and panic it caused serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe handling of LPG cylinders.

Authorities have assured that they will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, affected shop owners and residents are left to recover from the shock and losses caused by the devastating fire.