A gas tanker carrying 19 tonnes of non-flammable compressed Argon gas erupted in flames on the Patlipada bridge along Thane’s bustling Ghodbunder Road on Monday, causing widespread alarm among commuters. The incident, reported at approximately 3:00 PM, was brought under control within 30 minutes by a rapid response from emergency services, with no injuries or casualties reported.

The tanker, traveling from Mahape in Navi Mumbai to Gujarat, caught fire mid-journey, prompting the driver to stop the vehicle and evacuate safely. Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Thane Municipal Corporation’s disaster management cell, confirmed the swift deployment of two fire tenders, a rescue vehicle, two towing vans, and a crane to the scene. Fire brigade and disaster management teams worked in tandem to extinguish the blaze by 3:30 PM, preventing a potential catastrophe.

“The coordinated efforts of our teams ensured the fire was doused quickly, averting any harm,” Tadvi said. The non-flammable nature of the Argon gas likely minimized the risk of a larger explosion, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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The incident disrupted traffic on Ghodbunder Road, a vital artery connecting Thane to Mumbai and beyond, causing significant congestion. Efforts to clear the charred tanker from the bridge are ongoing, with authorities working to restore normal traffic flow.

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