Four charred in tanker blaze

Raipur, Oct 22 (UNI) At least four people, including three children, were burnt alive and five severely injured when a petrol tanker was engulfed in flames this afternoon close to the nearby Raipura Ring Road.

Local residents said that a group of children, residents of a nearby slum, were filling petrol from the overturned tanker when it suddenly caught fire. An eyewitness said that the vehicle overturned around noon and locals informed the fire brigade.

Before the police and fire personnel could reach the spot, the kids began filling the fuel in plastic bottles. The inferno engulfed the children, killing at least four on the spot. Charred bodies were lying on the scene even as two of those hurt were rushed to the medical college hospital.

Irate residents damaged a police vehicle, protesting against the delay in arrival of fire personnel. Police cordoned off the area and an investigation is underway.

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