A seafood-laden truck caught fire near the Sergarh tollgate on National Highway 16 in Balasore, creating panic and halting traffic for more than thirty minutes.
The blaze spread rapidly, engulfing the entire vehicle before fire services arrived.
Witnesses said the flames erupted suddenly while the truck was moving along the highway. The driver managed to escape unharmed as the fire intensified. Police immediately stopped vehicular movement on both sides of the highway to ensure safety. Passengers faced inconvenience as vehicles lined up in the scorching heat.
Firefighters reached the spot and battled the flames for a long time before bringing the situation under control. Preliminary reports suggest a possible short circuit triggered the fire, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Authorities estimate that seafood worth lakhs of rupees was destroyed in the incident. The loss has dealt a heavy blow to traders relying on the shipment. Police and fire officials confirmed that no casualties occurred, but the damage to goods and disruption of traffic caused significant distress.
The incident highlights the importance of vehicle safety checks and preparedness for emergencies on busy highways. Officials assured that further inquiry will determine the precise cause of the fire.
