Fire tragedy averted at a petrol pump

Gangtok, Aug 12 (UNI) A major fire tragedy at a petrol pump was averted today by timely intervention of the fire and police officials at Tadong in Lower Gangtok.

The incident happened at around 1930 hours.

According to local drivers, there are four underground tanks of petrol and diesel with a total capacity of 12,000 litres at the pump.

" Had the tanks caught fire, it would have been a catastrophe as the area is thickly populated with neck to neck surrounding buildings," said a senior fire officer.

The fire and police personnel dowsed the fire, which could have reached the petrol and diesel tanks underground.

A suspected gas cylinder blast at the staff room of the pump triggered the fire, which quickly caught the nearby cans of the highly inflammable mobil at the adjoining room and erupted into a towering inferno.

The pump office was burnt to ashes and no causalities were reported.

Investigation was on, said Superintendent of Police (East) Dr M S Tuli.

UNI