YANGON: A clash occurred on the old Yangon–Mandalay highway in Nyaung Chay Htauk town, Oktwin Township, Bago Region, resulting in two vehicles being burned and destroyed in the early hours of the morning on January 19.
The incident took place at around 2:50 a.m. on January 19 on the main road section of the old Yangon–Mandalay highway between Nyaung Chay Htauk Village and Nyaung Lwint Village, where a fuel tanker truck and a trailer truck caught fire.
Both vehicles reportedly caught fire at the same time. Although the exact cause of the fire is unknown, witnesses reported hearing four or five gunshots around the time of the blaze.
Some accounts claim the vehicles were set on fire after being hit by gunfire, while social media posts have also suggested that armed groups deliberately torched the vehicles.
Firefighters from the Phyu Township Fire Services Department responded with two fire engines and managed to extinguish the fire by about 4:30 a.m. Although the vehicles were damaged in the incident, no injuries were reported.
Following the fire, traffic on the old Yangon–Mandalay highway in Oktwin Township was temporarily suspended. However, normal traffic resumed at around 8:30 a.m.
Incidents involving vehicles being set on fire or destroyed have been occurring frequently along the old Yangon–Mandalay highway in eastern Bago Region. - Eleven Media/ANN
