Chemical Tanker Fire on Jaipur-Ajmer Highway Swiftly Contained, Averting Major Disaster
A potentially catastrophic fire erupted in a chemical-laden tanker on the busy Jaipur–Ajmer National Highway in the early hours of Monday, sending shockwaves through the area before being brought under control within a remarkable 20 minutes by a coordinated response from police and fire personnel.
Early Morning Incident Near Ramchandrapura Culvert
The alarming incident unfolded around 4:45 AM near the Ramchandrapura culvert, within the jurisdiction of the Bhankrota police station area in Jaipur. According to police reports, the tanker was transporting a highly inflammable cargo of methyl alcohol, traveling from Ajmer to Jaipur. As the vehicle ascended the culvert, sparks generated near one of its tyres ignited the lower portion of the tanker, triggering the fire.
Swift Alarm and Chaotic Scene on the Highway
Motorists and pedestrians immediately raised the alarm upon spotting flames emanating from the moving tanker, leading to a brief period of chaos on this heavily trafficked stretch of highway. The driver acted quickly, bringing the vehicle to a halt on the roadside and evacuating to safety. Local residents and the tanker driver promptly alerted the authorities, setting the stage for a rapid emergency response.
Brave Response by Police and Firefighters
Bhankrota police and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene. In a display of courage, Station House Officer Srinivas Jangid and constable Sunil approached the flaming truck armed with portable fire extinguishers. They successfully doused the fire burning beneath the vehicle, while firefighters simultaneously worked to prevent the blaze from reaching the chemical container, which held approximately 30,000 litres of methyl alcohol.
Critical Action Prevents Catastrophe
SHO Srinivas Jangid emphasized that the combined quick actions of the driver, alert passers-by, police, and firefighters were instrumental in containing the fire within 20 minutes. This swift intervention was crucial in averting a more severe disaster, a point underscored by its occurrence on the same highway as the infamous 'Bhankrota fire incident' of December 2024, which tragically claimed 14 lives.
Traffic Disruption and Restoration
The incident caused temporary disruption to traffic flow on the Jaipur–Ajmer highway. However, following the successful containment of the fire and stabilization of the situation, normal traffic operations were restored, minimizing long-term inconvenience to commuters.
