A goods-laden truck caught fire on National Highway 16 near Bhandaripokhari market in Bhadrak late Tuesday night. The driver and helper narrowly escaped as flames engulfed the vehicle.
The truck, carrying iron materials, lost balance and rammed into the highway divider before bursting into flames. Both occupants jumped out moments before the fire spread. Locals alerted the fire brigade, which reached the spot and doused the blaze. By then, nearly 70 per cent of the truck had burned.
The incident disrupted traffic on the busy highway for over an hour. Vehicles lined up on both sides as firefighters worked to control the flames. Witnesses said the fire spread quickly due to the heavy load and fuel leakage.
The driver and helper sustained minor injuries while escaping. Police arrived soon after and assisted in clearing the route. The cause of the fire appears to be a mechanical fault triggered by the collision.
