Chandrapur: Nine charred to death as fire breaks out after tanker-truck collision

Nine persons were charred to death in a fire that broke out following a collision on Thursday night between a diesel-laden tanker and a truck carrying wood on the outskirts of Chandrapur city of Maharashtra. The fire was controlled by around 4 am on Friday, the police officials informed.

According to Chandrapur's Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sudhir Nandanwar, the accident occurred on Thursday around 10.30 pm close to Ajaypur, on Chandrapur-Mul Road. A fuel tanker was going from Chandrapur towards Mul and a truck transporting logs of wood was coming from Gadchiroli.

"First the collision took place and then the tanker caught fire due to fuel and since the truck was carrying logs of wood, it caught fire too. Nine persons were charred to death on the spot. Fire brigade personnel reached Ajaypur about an hour after the accident and the blaze was brought under control by around 4 am," said SDPO Nandanwar.

He added, "The charred remains of the victims were later taken to Chandrapur hospital. We have contacted families of those who have been identified and have informed them about the mishap. While most of those who succumbed are from different parts of Maharashtra, a few are from northern states."