SHILLONG: A major disaster was averted as fire fighters responded very quickly to douse a massive fire that caught an LPG tanker at Lumdiengjri point here on Monday night.

The intensity of the fire caused by burning of LPG in the tanker was so huge that smoke and flames were visible from each and every part of the city.

As soon as the truck went to flames, the entire area was cordoned off and many senior police officials reached the spot immediately to ensure safety of people and the surroundings.

Fire brigades arrived at the scene just 10 minutes after the fire caught the tanker (AS01 DC5069) and doused the blazing inferno with foam within minutes, preventing any major damage to human lives and property except for damage to a few hoardings in nearby buildings. The LPG tanker was later taken to Mawiong on the outskirts of the city for safety purpose. Experts would be called in to ensure that the remaining gas is exhausted out safely, Additional Superintendent of Police (traffic) Herbert Lyngdoh said, adding, “The leakage has stopped now.” Driver of the Assam bound vehicle tried to escape the scene but he was caught by the police. The incident, however, led to a major traffic jam for more than two hours on NH-40 passing through the city while many truck drivers were seen sleeping in their stranded vehicles