50 bikes burnt to ashes

Bhawanipatna: A total of 50 bikes loaded on a truck were burnt to ashes near Bandopala on NH-26 in Kalahandi district last night.

Driver of the truck, Shiv Shankar, said he had parked the vehicle near a petrol pump at around 2 am and was sleeping in his cabin.

At around 4 am, he saw smoke billowing out from backside of the truck and after he opened the door found the bikes were gutted.

He immediately sought help of the petrol pump staff. On receiving information, fire tenders reached the spot and doused the flames.

The truck was on its way to Jaipur from Haridwar.