A fuel tanker truck bearing registration number GAJ 9707, owned by a 36-year-old businessman from Culvert City, Lethem, reportedly caught fire along the Mabura road en route to Lethem at about 05:15h on Saturday, the police reported.
At the time, the tanker was being driven by 38-year-old Vijay Persaud, in the company of 20-year-old porter Joseph Layne. They were travelling along the Mabura road from Georgetown, transporting 19,500 litres (L) of gasoline and 19,500L of diesel.
The burnt-out fuel tanker
The driver related that he heard a loud explosion as if one of the truck tires had exploded. He said he immediately brought the truck to a stop and made checks, where he observed the left rear tire on fire.
He added that he used a fire extinguisher he had in the truck to try putting out the fire but this proved futile.
The fire continued to blaze, which eventually caused himself and porter to run to safety. The entire truck subsequently became engulfed in flames. No one received any injuries.
The fire station was summoned at about 11:15h; the fire was put out by 12:30h, and the damaged truck was cordoned off to allow free flow of traffic.
The driver and porter are assisting police with the investigation.
