Mulki: A coal-laden truck near Panambur partially gutted into fire, here on Saturday June 28 night.

The incident occurred in front of CSI church on NH 66, at around 8.30 pm. It is learnt that the truck was plying from Panambur to Udupi.

According to the on-lookers, the vehicle suddenly caught fire. Releasing this, the vehicles those were approaching from behind signaled the truck driver.

The truck driver then stopped the vehicle and to his rescue, the local reached the spot and called for the fire under control.

Within no time the lorry was gutted. Locals brought water from nearby St Anne’s College and fire was extinguished thereafter.

The truck however suffered partial damage due to fire.  For some time it also caused traffic jam, however it was resorted.