The driver of an LPG tanker which had developed a leak on Sunday night averted a disaster by parking the vehicle in a secluded spot on NH-2, about 17km from the district headquarters, and waited for a rescue team to arrive on Monday morning and transfer the gas to another tanker.

The leak took place in the pressure valve of the Indian Oil tanker (HR 38 Q 7818) which had over 17 tonnes of LPG. It was travelling to Gorakhpur in UP from Haldia port in Bengal.

The driver, Abhishek Paul, realised something was amiss at Gahira in Govindpur on NH-2. He parked the tanker in an area free of human habitation and called police. Soon, a police team and firemen arrived at the spot.

The police informed Indian Oil Corporation after which it sent a rescue team from Durgapur in Bengal which transferred the LPG from the leaking tanker to other tankers.

District fire officer Surendra Yadav said “The IOC rescue team was able to start transferring the LPG at 5 am on Monday. Two other vehicles were needed to transfer the entire stock. The whole operation was completed at 12 noon.”

Yadav said they had sent a fire tender soon after being informed by Govindpur police about the leak. “Our team remained at the site till the completion of the entire draining out process of the LPG,” he said.

The fire officer said that if needed they would have used a special fire tender that was equipped with foam which was required in case of an LPG fire. “We could have increased the number of tenders if required. In case of fire due to LPG leakage, we have tankers containing foam which is required to control such fires,” he explained.