A truck loaded with lentils was gutted in a blaze on Sunday early morning near the India-Bangladesh border in Malda.

Sources said the truck was carrying the consignment to Bangladesh. It was standing at a parking space near the border close to Piyashbari High School on the Mahadipur border.

Around 4am, a fire broke out in the truck.

Local people informed police and soon, a police team and a fire engine rushed to the spot. It took over an hour to bring the flames under control.

The police suspect that it might be an electrical short circuit. Officials of the state fire services department have initiated a probe to ascertain the cause of the blaze.

Accident

Eighteen persons were injured in a road accident on the outskirts of Siliguri on Sunday. Sources said they were travelling in a pick-up van along NH 10 from Bagdogra to Siliguri.

As the vehicle reached near Muni tea state of Bagdogra, the driver lost control and it overturned on the road. Locals rushed for help and took the injured to a local health centre.

Later, they were shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri. Police have seized the vehicle. Investigations have started.