NAMAKKAL: A truck loaded with hay caught fire after coming in contact with a high-voltage electric line at Idayarpalayam in Namakkal district on Wednesday.Alerted by locals, the driver stopped the vehicle and tried to extinguish the fire. “He sustained burn injuries while trying to extinguish the fire and was admitted to Tiruchengode Government Hospital for treatment,” said an officer at the Tiruchengode rural police station.Firefighters from Tiruchengode rushed to the spot with two fire tenders and extinguished the blaze.The truck was owned by M Senthil Kumar of Attur in Salem district and driven by S Kumar of Kallakurichi. It was transporting hay to Andirapatti when the accident happened.Fire station officer T Saravanan said a few residents stated that the vehicle caught fire after coming in contact with an overhead power line. “The vehicle, powered by CNG, posed a serious risk of explosion, but precautionary measures taken by the fire service averted further danger,” he said.The Tiruchengode rural police registered a case and initiated an investigation.
