There was chaos in the market in Pachor town of Rajgarh district when a massive fire suddenly broke out in a petrol pump located on the main road. The fire could be controlled after about two hours. According to eyewitnesses, petrol was being emptied from the tanker into the underground tank, when strong flames erupted and within no time the entire complex was engulfed in smoke. A pump employee got burnt in the accident, who was immediately taken to the civil hospital.
The incident took place tonight at 8:30 pm. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the market, suddenly high flames erupted at the decanting point of the petrol pump. Hearing the sound like a loud bang, nearby shopkeepers and customers got scared. People ran to save their lives, many shopkeepers pulled down their shutters and went to safe places. Within a few minutes, smoke spread throughout the area and visibility reduced.
Read this also- Bribery busted in the name of PM house installment, Panchayat Secretary arrested red handed for taking six thousand rupees
As soon as the information was received, Pachor police station and city council’s fire brigade and fire team reached the spot. Additional fire vehicles were also called from Rajgarh and Biaora. The fire could be controlled after about an hour of effort. The flames did not reach the surrounding residential areas in time, otherwise a major accident could have occurred. As a precautionary measure, the police surrounded the entire area and diverted the traffic.
According to the pump management, the burnt employee has been identified as Dinesh Mewada. He was standing near the nozzle while emptying the tanker. Due to the fire, his hands and face got burnt, apart from this 10 more people got burnt. A total of 11 people, including minor ones, were burnt to death in the fire. After first aid, they were referred to Rajgarh District Hospital, where doctors declared their condition to be stable.
At present, the clear cause of the fire has not been known. In the preliminary investigation, there is a possibility of spark arising from static charge or short circuit. SDM and SDOP reached the spot and took stock. Forensic team and security officials of Indian Oil have also been called for investigation. The petrol pump has been sealed till further orders.