Early morning flames jolted residents awake as a fuel tanker crashed into a convenience store and auto repair shop, triggering a massive fire in La Trinidad, Benguet.

The tanker, carrying around 40,000 liters of diesel, ignited on impact, engulfing houses and vehicles nearby.

Five houses and 11 vehicles were damaged in the blaze.

“Nakarinig ako ng malakas na pagsabog, akala ko may nagpapaputok lang ng fireworks. Dumaloy ‘yung gas sa kalsada kaya sinundan ng apoy ‘yung gas sa kalsada… malakas po ‘yung apoy,” a witness said.

Authorities tried to rescue the driver pinned inside the tanker, but the vehicle sparked unexpectedly, intensifying the fire.

“During the extrication... biglang yun nga po nag-spark,” SF02 Oswald Ponso, La Trinidad Fire Station Duty Shift In-Charge, said.

The driver died at the scene, while the assistant survived and was taken to the hospital.

It took hours to extinguish the fire, with damages exceeding P11 million, affecting nearly 30 residents.

Investigation into the cause of the crash continues, as of this writing.