Beltangady: Bullet Tanker Hits Car, Catches Fire - Two Killed

Report and pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (GA)

Beltangady, Aug 22: Residents of Periyashanthi near Nelyadi here are caught up in fear as a bullet tanker that caught fire in an accident, stands perilously close to blasting. People residing in the proximity of almost 2 kilometres from the accident spot have been asked to vacate their residences as of now. Though fire fighters are putting in best of their efforts to extinguish fire, they have not achieved any success so far.

The accident took place when an Indica car (KA 05 AA 276) collided with a bullet tanker (KA 01 C 8583) on Valtaje bridge around 6.15 am on Friday August 22. While the tanker was on its way to Bangalore from Mangalore, car was coming to Vittal from Bangalore. The impact of the accident was so ghastly that two persons travelling in the car died on the spot. They have been identified as Narasimha (35) and Padmavati (65).  Along with them Vijayavani and Muralidhar who were also travelling in the same ill-fated car have sustained critical injuries and have been admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore.

Within a few minutes of the accident, the bullet tanker caught fire sending shockwaves among the nearby residents. Though fire fighters who arrived on the spot a little later, tried to extinguish fire, their efforts went in vain. They not only failed in extinguishing fire, but were also pushed back owing to the intensity of the huge fire.

Daijiworld correspondent reporting from the spot said that as of now, 3 fire brigades are trying to extinguish fire and cool down the gas container. Chances of overpowering fire are bleak, he said and added that the tanker may blast at anytime. As a precaution, the nearby residents have been asked to vacate their houses. No one, except the fire fighters are allowed to move closer to the area.