Suspicious blaze guts beer truck near Sehore

Bhopal: A truck transporting a large consignment of beer from Som Distillerywas engulfed in flames under suspicious circumstances late Wednesday night on the Bhopal-Indore highway, near Lalakhedi and Soda villages.The truck and its entire load, worth several lakhs of rupees, were completely destroyed in the blaze.The fire broke out around 1 AM, catching the driver and cleaner by surprise. Fortunately, both managed to jump out in time and escaped without injury.The cause of the fire remains unclear, but initial reports citing a short circuit or overheating are now being viewed with suspicion due to the sudden intensity and timing of the blaze, say police.Passersby noticed the flames and alerted the fire brigade. Firefighters reached the scene at approximately 1:20 AM and battled the fire for hours. By the time they arrived, the truck was already fully engulfed, and traffic on one side of the busy highway had to be halted.Despite their efforts, the entire consignment of beer was lost, and the trolley was reduced to ashes. Fire officials noted the unusual speed at which the fire spread, raising questions about whether the incident was accidental or deliberate.Authorities have not ruled out foul play, and a detailed investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.