A major fire broke out at a Bharat Petroleum fuel station in Pachore town of Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district on Monday night, leaving 12 people injured and triggering panic in the area.
The incident occurred at the Chunnalal-Munnalal Bharat Petrol Pump located in the middle of the city. According to officials, 12 motorcycles and a petrol tanker were completely destroyed in the blaze. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and police have launched an investigation.
The fire reportedly broke out around 8:30 pm on Monday (May 11), when a long queue of vehicles was lined up at the petrol pump for refuelling. Eyewitnesses said the flames suddenly erupted and quickly spread across the station, engulfing several motorcycles within minutes.
Burning Bike Rolled Near Petrol Tanker
According to eyewitness accounts, a motorcyclist had just refuelled and was leaving the station when his bike suddenly caught fire. In panic, the rider abandoned the motorcycle and ran for safety. The burning bike reportedly rolled toward a nearby petrol tanker, causing the flames to spread rapidly to other vehicles parked at the station.
The incident created chaos inside the petrol pump premises as people rushed to save themselves. Some attempted to move their vehicles away, but the fire spread so quickly that many were unable to react in time. Within seconds, thick smoke and flames engulfed the entire fuel station area.
Petrol Pump Staff Helped Bring Fire Under Control
Petrol pump employees immediately began efforts to contain the blaze using fire safety equipment available at the station. Police and fire brigade teams also rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. After intense efforts, the fire was eventually brought under control.
Among the injured, Balram Gurjar, a resident of Old Pachore, sustained serious burn injuries. Eleven others were also hurt in the incident. The injured were admitted to hospitals in Pachore, Shajapur and private medical facilities, while one critically injured person was referred to Indore for advanced treatment.
Authorities said the exact cause of the fire is still unknown and a detailed investigation is underway. The incident has created fear and panic among residents of Pachore town.