A violent collision between a truck and a poultry-laden pickup van at Ampani Ghat near Biri Muhana on the Kalahandi-Nabarangpur border triggered a massive fire late Saturday night.
The impact ignited both vehicles, reducing them to ashes within minutes.
The truck was heading toward Bhawanipatna while the pickup was en route to Nabarangpur. The pickup struck the truck’s diesel tank during the crash, causing flames to engulf both vehicles. Firefighters from Kokasara rushed to the scene and managed to control the blaze after hours of effort.
Eyewitnesses reported that the drivers and helpers of both vehicles escaped with minor injuries, narrowly avoiding death. However, the pickup driver fled the scene immediately after the accident. Police from Ampani station registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision.
The accident resulted in complete destruction of both vehicles, with losses estimated in lakhs of rupees. Authorities confirmed that no fatalities occurred, but the incident raised concerns about night-time highway safety and the risks of transporting flammable cargo.
Local residents gathered at the site as flames lit up the night sky, highlighting the urgency of stricter enforcement of road safety measures. Police continue their probe while fire officials assess the extent of damage.
