Tragic Oil Tanker Fire on Assam Highway Claims One Life
A devastating incident unfolded on Tuesday when an oil tanker caught fire on National Highway 27 in Assam's Kokrajhar district, resulting in one person being charred to death. The accident occurred at Kachugaon under the Gossaigaon sub-division, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Eyewitness Account of the Blaze
According to a witness present at the scene, the tanker burst with a loud, explosive sound before rapidly catching fire. This sudden ignition created a hazardous situation that immediately drew the attention of nearby residents and authorities.
Emergency Response Efforts
Upon receiving information about the incident, police and firefighters from both Kachugaon and Gossaigaon rushed to the spot along with a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Their prompt mobilization demonstrated the coordinated emergency response capabilities in the region.
However, local residents reported that by the time these responders arrived at the location, the tanker was already completely ablaze. This presented significant challenges for the emergency teams, who found themselves with limited options for direct intervention.
Containment Strategy and Recovery
Faced with the fully engulfed vehicle, the primary focus shifted to preventing the fire from spreading to surrounding areas and causing additional damage or casualties. The emergency teams worked diligently to contain the blaze and secure the perimeter.
Kokrajhar Superintendent of Police Akshat Garg later confirmed the grim outcome, stating that a charred body had been recovered from the site. The recovery operation underscored the tragic human cost of the incident, even as investigators began their work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fire.
Investigation and Community Impact
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols for hazardous material transport on busy national highways. As authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the fire, the local community in Kokrajhar district mourns the loss of life while grappling with the traumatic visual of the burning tanker on NH-27.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with fuel transportation and the critical importance of emergency preparedness for such incidents along major transportation corridors.
