LPG refills explode as truck catches fire

Our Correspondent

Udhampur, May 29

Dozens of LPG cylinders being transported in a truck exploded in no time after the vehicle caught fire on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district on Friday, triggering panic among locals.

The vehicular movement on the highway was restricted temporarily after the incident in the Tikri area, an official said.

The truck driver, Ujjal Singh, escaped unhurt and the situation is completely under control, the official said. The truck, which was carrying over 300 LPG cylinders from Bari Brahmana in Jammu to Sopore in north Kashmir, suddenly caught fire near a temple in Tikri, officials said.

Dozens of LPG cylinders exploded in over 45 minutes, the officials said, adding that some were blown away 100 feet from the truck due to the blasts.

Eyewitnesses said around 100 LPG cylinders might have exploded.

Meanwhile, the traffic has been restored on the highway. The cause of the fire is being investigated, the officials said.