A Hyderabad truck fire involving a vehicle carrying plastic granules disrupted traffic on NH-167 near Janampally in Kodangal, Vikarabad district, on Sunday morning. The driver escaped the blaze, while the truck and most of its cargo were destroyed.
The fire broke out at around 7.40 am as the truck was travelling from Gujarat to Chennai. According to Kodangal fire station officials, the vehicle’s engine overheated near Janampally, leading to an electrical short circuit. Flames first spread through the cabin before reaching the plastic raw material and engulfing the entire truck within seconds.
The driver noticed the fire in time and jumped out of the vehicle. Fire officials said he escaped with minor injuries and that no other injuries were reported in the incident.
A fire official said preliminary investigations indicated engine overheating and an electrical short circuit as the likely cause. Further inquiry into the incident is underway. The estimated property loss was around Rs 24 lakh, while property worth approximately Rs 14 lakh was saved.
Two fire tenders and local authorities reached the location after receiving information about the blaze. The plastic cargo generated thick smoke, temporarily disrupting traffic on the highway while officials worked to clear the damaged vehicle and assess the site.
The incident also brought a freight movement along NH-167 to a halt for a period as emergency crews responded to a fire involving a large load of combustible plastic material. Officials subsequently cleared the affected stretch and continued their assessment of the vehicle and cargo damage.
