A lorry carrying 35 tonnes of sugar from Mysuru to Thanjavur caught fire on Bargur Ghat Road on Thursday night.
According to the police, the fire started around 10 p.m. when the lorry was approaching the first hairpin bend near Thamaraikarai. A short circuit in the engine is believed to have sparked the blaze. The driver and his assistant managed to escape the vehicle and attempted to extinguish the flames with water. Motorists passing by quickly notified the Anthiyur Fire Station. Although the fire truck arrived 30 minutes later, by then the lorry was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.
The intense heat caused the sugar to melt and spill onto the road, further obstructing traffic. Authorities stated that the road, which connects Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, would remain closed until the sugar residue was cleared. Efforts were also made to water nearby trees and bushes to prevent the fire from spreading to the forest. Traffic on the ghat road was restored by Friday.
