Vadodara: An accident was averted early on Tuesday morning after an Eicher truck caught fire shortly after crossing the Vasad toll plaza on the Vadodara-bound carriageway. The prompt response of a toll plaza employee helped prevent the blaze from spreading, allowing the occupants to escape safely.According to officials, the Eicher truck (GJ03 BV 5544) crossed lane number three of the toll plaza at around 6am. Barely 100 metres ahead, smoke began billowing from the engine compartment before the vehicle was engulfed in flames, triggering panic among motorists passing through the busy stretch.On noticing the fire, toll plaza employee Dharmendrasinh Thakor rushed to the spot and immediately used three fire extinguishers available at the plaza to contain the blaze. His quick action prevented the fire from spreading further until firefighters arrived.Fire brigade personnel and police teams reached the spot soon after receiving the alert. Firefighters brought the blaze completely under control, while police diverted traffic to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent congestion.Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the vehicle. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. Officials said the timely intervention by the toll plaza employee played a crucial role in averting a major mishap, as the occupants managed to exit the vehicle safely before the fire intensified.
