Palakkad: A lorry carrying hay from Alathur to Attapadi caught fire on the Thavalam- Mully road here in the wee hours of Friday. The incident happened at around 12:30. The three people inside the lorry were bravely rescued with the timely intervention of the Rapid Response Team (RRT). 

The RRT of Puthur was on the way back after driving away the wild elephant. On the way, they saw the lorry on fire and promptly began the rescue operation. They rescued three people including the lorry driver from inside the burning vehicle. A major mishap was averted as the bales of hay could be successfully removed from the lorry.

The Puthur police and fire brigade from Kongad reached the spot and managed to douse the fire after a three-hour-long effort.