Hoshiarpur: Two people died and several others were injured after an LPG tanker caught fire late Friday night on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road, officials said.

The blaze quickly spread and engulfed nearly 15 shops along with four to five residential houses in the Mandiala Adda area, causing major damage, police reported. The incident occurred around 10 pm when the tanker collided with another vehicle, triggering the fire.

Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain and Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Malik rushed to the scene to supervise rescue operations. Fire tenders and ambulances were immediately deployed to contain the blaze and assist the injured.

Jain stated that the fire has largely been brought under control, adding that a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident and the extent of damage would be conducted once the situation stabilises.

At the Hoshiarpur Civil Hospital, two victims were declared dead upon arrival, while 18 to 20 injured individuals received medical treatment. Civil Surgeon Pawan Kumar noted that five to six patients with severe burn injuries were referred to specialised medical institutions for further care.

Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing as authorities continue to assess the aftermath of the accident.