Kannur (Kerala): A woman was killed when an LPG tanker lorry burst into flames after an accident and set her house nearby on fire, police here said on Tuesday. Thirty-four people were injured in the accident.
The incident occurred when the lorry carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) overturned after hitting a divider around 11.30 pm on Monday.
While the driver and a helper ran for safety, the vehicle caught fire and the flames engulfed five houses and some shops nearby.
A 50-year-old woman, Sreelatha, died in the fire. She was sleeping, when her house, 200 metres from the accident site, caught fire. She succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.
The condition of seven of those injured is stated to be serious, said doctors. Twenty-seven more people suffered from burn injuries and are being treated in Kannur and Kozhikode hospitals.
"We were around five km from the accident spot and heard a huge explosion and bright lights," said a witness. "Had there been no heavy rain at that time, the disaster would have been greater."
After the accident, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rushed to Kannur on Tuesday and met district authorities.
IANS
