Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Jan 10: A lorry transporting maize was gutted in a fire incident at the second hairpin bend of Charmadi Ghat in the early hours of Saturday at around 3 am.

Local residents and personnel from the fire and emergency services rushed to the spot and carried out fire-fighting operations. It is reported that the lorry was completely burnt in the incident.

The lorry, carrying maize from Javagal to Kundapura, caught fire reportedly due to a technical snag while passing through the Charmadi Ghat, which connects Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada districts.

The fire is said to have started from the tyre portion of the lorry and quickly spread to the entire vehicle. The maize being transported was also completely destroyed as the flames engulfed the lorry.

Due to the intensity of the fire, the flames spread to the forest area along the ghat road, creating a tense situation for some time. However, timely intervention helped prevent further damage.

At the time of the incident, the lorry driver and two others who were in the vehicle escaped unhurt. Fire department personnel later arrived at the spot and managed to douse the fire, averting a major disaster.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.