Two fuel trucks exploded simultaneously yesterday at Parika, East Bank Essequibo while discharging fuel. One of the drivers was injured.
The Guyana Fire Service and the police have launched independent investigations to determine the cause of the explosion.
Injured is Zahir Villa, a 40 year-old resident of Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.
A Police statement yesterday said that the explosion occurred at approximately 10am in the vicinity of Parika/Salem first koker where the tankers were parked, discharging fuel.
Police investigations have so far revealed that Villa, after recognising that one of the trucks was on fire leapt into the cabin of his truck and attempted to switch off the truck’s engine.
However, his efforts proved futile and he suffered burns to his hands. He was quickly rescued by public-spirited persons and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he received medical attention.
Meanwhile, police said the driver of the vehicle that was first seen on fire, Ramsharan Dean, a 38-year-old resident of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was away from his vehicle when the fire started.
Dean told police that he left the vehicle and went about 25 feet away. Upon his return, he saw smoke coming from behind his cabin area and it quickly burst into a huge fire spreading to the other lorry.
The fire was subsequently extinguished by firefighters. Its cause remains unknown.
