Kollam: It was a narrow escape for the driver and cleaner of a lorry after their vehicle caught fire in the wee hours of Friday.

The lorry, carrying 20 tons of bleaching powder, was gutted in the fire.

It is suspected that the lorry caught fire as necessary precautions were not taken while transporting huge amounts of the chemical. The driver and cleaner were sleeping inside the lorry stationed at Chinnakada.

Fireforce personnel from Chammakada doused the blaze.