5 killed as chemical-laden truck crashes at Jaipur fuel pump, sets off huge fire

At least five people were charred to death and nearly 24 others were injured in a fire that broke out at a fuel station in Jaipur on Friday, December 20.

According to the police, the fire started when a truck collided with an LPG-carrying tanker and caught fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on Friday morning. The fire soon spread to the fuel pump in the city’s Bhankrota area.

Several vehicles parked at the fuel station were also gutted in the fire. According to preliminary information, the truck that hit the LPG-carrying tanker was loaded with a chemical.

Upon receiving input about the fire, 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. Efforts were underway to control the fire at the time of writing of this news. Police also rushed the injured people to Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital.

Visuals from the area showed massive flames coming out from the fuel station as the fire tenders tried to extinguish the flames. After the incident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the Sawai Man Singh Hospital and directed the officials to ensure the best treatment for the injured.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the sad news of casualties of citizens in the gas tanker fire incident on Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident was received, I went to SMS Hospital and directed the doctors to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured. Rescue work by the administration is continuing.

The local administration and emergency services are working with full readiness. I pray to God to grant the departed souls a place in his supreme abode, give the bereaved families strength to bear this immense loss and provide speedy recovery to the injured,” Sharma said in a post on X.

Jaipur’s District Magistrate (DM) Jitendra Soni said that nearly 24 people were injured in the incident, and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

“Around 40 vehicles caught fire. Fire brigade and ambulances have reached the spot. The relief work is underway. The fire has been doused and only one to two vehicles are left. Around 23–24 people have been injured in the incident. A fire broke out due to the collision of many vehicles one after the other. Efforts are being made to douse the fire,” Jaipur DM said while speaking to the media about the incident.