NEW DELHI: A massive fire erupted late Tuesday night on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway after a truck carrying LPG cylinders collided with another vehicle near the Dudu area, officials confirmed. The impact triggered multiple explosions as the gas cylinders detonated, with flames and shockwaves visible and audible for kilometres.
Emergency services, including police and fire brigades, rushed to the scene, halting traffic on both sides of the busy highway. Firefighting and rescue operations continued through the night as teams worked to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma directed Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa and MLA Kailash Verma to visit the site for an on-ground assessment. In a post on X, the Chief Minister called the incident “extremely tragic” and confirmed that fire brigade and disaster response teams were actively involved in rescue efforts.
“I’ve instructed the district administration to ensure the injured receive proper treatment and that all possible support is provided to the affected. I pray for the safety and well-being of everyone impacted by this heart-wrenching incident,” CM Sharma posted.
Senior officials, including the Jaipur district collector, also reached the site to oversee operations.
Deputy CM Dr. Bairwa confirmed via X that rescue and relief efforts were underway near the Sawarda culvert in the Mojmabad area. “Police, fire, and administration teams are on-site, and the fire is being brought under control,” he stated.
Speaking to ANI en route, Dr. Bairwa revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the LPG truck was rear-ended by another vehicle, likely the cause of the explosion. “There are no casualties reported so far. The fire has been controlled, and ambulance services are on standby,” he said. Later, he confirmed the driver and conductor were hospitalized and that the administration is continuing efforts to manage the aftermath.
As a precaution, SMS Hospital was placed on alert to handle any potential medical emergencies arising from the incident.
Jaipur Range IG Rahul Prakash added that the LPG truck was parked near a roadside dhaba when it was hit from behind by another tanker, reportedly carrying chemicals. “This seems to have caused the explosion. Our investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Notably, this is the second major fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway in recent months. In December last year, a similar collision involving an LPG tanker near Bhankrota led to a deadly fire that claimed 19 lives and scorched a large section of the road.
