Bangalore: In a major mishap six people, including two women and two children were killed and 10 others injured when a LPG tanker capsized and caught fire near Perne village in Uppinangady Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, about 350 km from here, on Tuesday. Police officials who rushed to the spot said due to the impact of the mishap, the gas tanker caught fire, which also engulfed five roadside houses. While two hours were fully gutted, three other houses were partially damaged.
Due to theintensity of fire a three acre arecanut plantation near the accident site on National Highway 48 was also gutted in the fire that spread to nearly one km area.
The tanker belonging to public sector HPCL was carrying about 16,000 kgs of LPG and was proceeding from Mangalore to the city.
Locals complained that the HPCL rescue team arrived late at the scene which led to more damage.
Initial reports said the dead were the driver and the cleaner of the tanker, a woman identified as Shobha living in the house that came under the immediate impact of the fire and her infant baby. Another boy Karim (13) was among the dead. The identity of others is yet to be ascertained.
Six fire tenders from nearby Puttur rushed to the spot and put out the fire after nearly four-hour long battle. (PTI)
