A fuel tanker bearing registration number PE 10094/NA 8173 carrying 35,000 litres of petrol has caught fire at Salafosi area along Mwanza - Zalewa road in Neno District on Sunday.

Neno District Police publicist Rebecca Msoliza has told Zodiak Online that, the tanker which was being driven by Thompson Kanyamula carried the petrol from Beira designated for National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) depot.

She said " Upon arrival at Salafosi village in Neno district, the driver noticed that there was fire coming from the front tyres, and he immediately stopped and removed terminals from the batteries before disconnecting the trailer,".

Later, well wishers came to assist him to put off the fire from the horse which got completely burnt whilst the trailer survived the inferno with the 35,000 litres of petrol being intact.

The police have since instituted an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.