A truck carrying straw caught fire in Jamshedpur on Monday evening after hitting a power line. The incident occurred on the Tata-Patamda main road, near the State Bank of India’s Patamda branch. Witnesses described a scene of panic as the flames quickly spread from the truck.
The driver, Nakul Mahato, explained that his truck was carrying 44 quintals of straw from Nekra village to Tata. As he drove, the top of the straw load brushed against a low-hanging 440-volt electrical wire. This contact immediately sparked the fire. Mahato said, “I was taking the straw to Tata when suddenly the straw caught fire after touching a 440-volt wire.”
Thankfully, Mahato reacted quickly. He was able to move the truck away from the immediate area, preventing the fire from spreading further. This quick thinking likely averted a much larger incident. While the truck suffered some damage, nobody was injured as a result of the fire.
This event brings attention to the risks associated with low-hanging power lines. Vehicles carrying tall loads, especially those transporting flammable items like straw, are especially vulnerable. The situation could have been far more dangerous if the fire had spread to nearby buildings or other cars. Therefore, it’s important for drivers to be mindful of electrical lines and maintain a safe distance, particularly when transporting potentially dangerous materials.