Truck Fire on Dhaka-Chattagram Highway Causes Traffic Disruption
A truck carrying scrap metal caught fire on the Dhaka-Chattagram highway near Chittagong, resulting in the cabin area being completely burnt. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident. The fire occurred around 6:30 PM on Tuesday near the Faujdarhat pedestrian bridge in Sitakunda Upazila. The truck was en route from the Chittagong port to the AKS Steel Mill in Sonai Chhori Union, carrying scrap. According to SI Md. Hashem of Baro Auliya Highway Police, a mechanical fault likely caused the fire after the truck began ascending the Faujdarhat pedestrian bridge. Highway police responded to the scene and began efforts to remove the damaged truck. Traffic on the Dhaka-bound lane was temporarily halted but later resumed on one lane. Imrul Quader Bhuiyan, Deputy General Manager of Abul Khair Group, stated that the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, and engineers have been dispatched to investigate. The preliminary estimated damage is around 2 million Bangladeshi Taka.
This incident highlights the critical importance of regular mechanical inspections and maintenance for commercial vehicles, particularly those transporting industrial materials like scrap metal. The fire, attributed to a potential mechanical fault, caused significant traffic disruption and an estimated financial loss of 2 million BDT. While the immediate cause is under investigation, the event underscores systemic risks in logistics operations. Future considerations should include enhanced safety protocols for such transport, potentially involving fire suppression systems or more frequent safety audits to mitigate risks associated with aging vehicles or operational stresses, ensuring the resilience of critical supply chains and public safety on major transportation arteries.
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