DERA GHAZI KHAN: A passer-by died on Tuesday when a fire erupted with an explosion in a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at a petrol-pump on the Indus Highway near Kot Chutta, which also engulfed two other empty tankers parked nearby.

As per Rescue 1122 officials, the fire first broke out in an LPG trailer parked at the Shinwari filling station and restaurant on the highway with a blast, making the drivers and helpers sitting there run for their lives.

Responding to an emergency call received by Rescue 1122 control room at 1:24pm, a fire-engine, a motorbike ambulance and an ambulance van were immediately dispatched to the spot, launching the operation to extinguish the blaze.

However, given the intensity of the blaze, four more fire-engines and a rescue vehicles from DG Khan and Jampur, Rajanpur district, joined the operation, that was continuing till the filing of this report.

Two other vehicles also burnt

The rescuers immediately evacuated workers from the petrol pump and the adjacent hotel to safety.

According to the rescuers the body of an unidentified passer-by, appearing to be around 60 years old, was found on the spot. Some of the firefighter have suffered minor injuries during the operation, they added.

The firefighters are currently using starvation and cooling techniques to control and extinguish the fire.

DEER INJURED: Some unidentified persons took away a female deer of a rare breed that was severely injured in a road accident in Taunsa Barrage area.

As per local wildlife officials, they were informed by some passers-by that a female deer was hit by a vehicle while crossing a road. However, some unidentified locals took away the injured deer, they added. They said thatthe wildlife inspector concerned, along with others, launched a probe into the incident, claiming that those who picked the injured deer have been traced.

The officials said that an application has been filed with Kot Addu police for legal action and recovery of the deer.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2025