Fuel tanker erupts in flames on Mabura Road; driver and porter escape unharmed

A potentially catastrophic disaster was averted early Saturday morning after a fuel tanker truck, laden with thousands of litres of gasoline and diesel, burst into flames along the Mabura road while en route to Lethem.

The incident occurred at about 05:15 hrs, when the tanker, bearing registration GAJ 9707 and owned by a 36-year-old businessman from Culvert City, Lethem, suddenly caught fire. At the time, the truck was being driven by 38-year-old Vijay Persaud, accompanied by his 20-year-old porter, Joseph Layne. They were transporting an estimated 19,500 litres of gasoline and 19,500 litres of diesel from Georgetown to Lethem.

Persaud told investigators that he heard a loud explosion — similar to a tyre blowout — and quickly pulled the truck to a stop. On inspection, he discovered the left rear tyre ablaze. Armed with a fire extinguisher from the vehicle, he attempted to douse the flames, but the effort proved futile as the fire spread rapidly.

Within minutes, the blaze engulfed the entire tanker, forcing both Persaud and Layne to run to safety. Miraculously, neither of them sustained injuries despite the highly flammable cargo.

Firefighters were summoned, and at about 11:15 hrs, Water Bowser #19, commanded by Sub-Officer Fenton Drepaul-Saul and a four-member crew, arrived on the scene. The team battled the inferno and managed to completely extinguish the flames by 12:30 hrs.

The charred remains of the truck were later cordoned off, and traffic along the busy interior road has since returned to normal.

Police confirmed that both Persaud and Layne are assisting with investigations into the incident.