South Dagon fuel tanker fire destroys 9 buildings

A fire caused by the collision of a cargo truck into a fuel tanker in South Dagon Township last night. Photo: Myanmar Fire Services Dapertment
A fire caused by the collision of a cargo truck into a fuel tanker in South Dagon Township last night. Photo: Myanmar Fire Services Dapertment

A fuel tanker exploded in Yangon’s South Dagon Township last night after it collided with another cargo vehicle, injuring both drivers. The resulting fire destroyed nine structures, including a five-story building, before it was put out by firefighters.

“Last night, at around 10pm, a cargo vehicle rear-ended a fuel tanker near the [University of National Culture and Arts] at the junction of the north and south Dagon Myothit townships,” a resident of the nearby Aungzeya Housing Complex told Eleven.

“The cargo truck driver was seriously injured. We don’t know whether he died or not,” the resident added. Both drivers were sent to the hospital.

Over 50 fire trucks were dispatched to the scene, and local residents joined firefighters in putting out the flames. According to a witness, the fuel tanker exploded a second time during the effort to extinguish the fire, causing people to flee the scene.

The Myanmar Fire Services Department live-streamed its efforts on Facebook. 

“Many people live in the area where the fire started. We worry that people may be injured. It was a huge fire,” said a resident of South Dagon Township’s Ward 26.

After the fire was put out, Yangon Region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein, along with other officials, visited the scene.

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