Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Oct 17: Panic gripped the main market of border town of Jhangar after a truck loaded with fodder (dry grass) caught fire and suffered damage in Nowshera sub division of district Rajouri this evening.
Police sources said that the mishap took place at around 6 pm when the truck loaded with dry grass was on its way to Nowshera from Kalali village in Jhangar area. The fodder was loaded much higher than the body of the truck and it was touching electric cables at several places. As the vehicle reached Jhangar Bazar, the electric cables touched each other after coming into the contact of dry grass and with the electric sparks, the dry grass caught fire.
The people cried and told the driver that grass had caught fire. The driver, Mohd Sadiq, son of Lal Hussain, also hailing from of Jhangar area, stopped the vehicle (JK02AB/3225) and jumped away to safety in panic. The fire flames went on spreading and the people were unable to control it.
The Army jawans from the nearby unit rushed there and brought their fire tender and later controlled fire but the grass had been burnt to larger extent and the fire also damaged the truck and its body. The engine part was however, saved from the flames.
The police party also reached the spot after some time. It has taken cognizance of the matter.
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