Silchar firefighters avert disaster as truck laden with LPG cylinders ignites on Mahasadak

The Moynarbond area of Cachar district, faced an impending disaster late on Thursday night, narrowly averted thanks to the swift and heroic response of local firefighters. A potentially catastrophic situation unfolded when a truck, heavily laden with LPG cylinders, en route from the Borkhola bottling plant via Mahasadak, suddenly caught fire.

The fateful incident began when the truck, nearing the IOCL depot in Moynarbond, suffered a tire burst in its rear wheel. What initially appeared as a mechanical failure soon spiraled into a nightmarish situation when sparks from the ruptured tire ignited a fire, rapidly engulfing the vehicle. The truck’s driver attempted to quell the flames using his portable fire extinguisher but found himself outmatched by the rapidly spreading flames.

Local residents acted swiftly, dialing Udharbond Fire and Emergency Services, who dispatched a team of dedicated firefighters equipped with two fire engines. Officials from Rongpur and Udharbond Police Stations also responded to the scene, ensuring that law and order remained intact in the midst of the chaotic situation.

The driver, en route to Aizawl, Mizoram, recounted the harrowing ordeal as he watched his vehicle become a fireball on wheels. Eyewitnesses and local residents collectively credited the rapid and effective response of the fire brigade with preventing a potentially catastrophic explosion.

“The firemen arrived in the nick of time and, through their prompt action, managed to bring the flames under control,” commented a relieved local resident. “Their heroic efforts contained the blaze to the truck, preventing it from reaching the loaded LPG cylinders, a scenario that could have resulted in an unimaginable disaster.”

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role played by firefighters and emergency responders in ensuring the safety of communities. Their timely intervention not only saved lives but also prevented a massive explosion that could have had far-reaching consequences.