Around 40 passengers, including women and children, escaped unhurt due to the timely action of the driver of a private bus that caught fire in Pakur on Wednesday morning. Police said that all the passengers got out of the bus after the driver alerted them on seeing the fire at the rear end of the vehicle around 5 am.
Within minutes after the passengers got down, the bus was completely gutted. The sleeper coach bus was on its way to Pakur from Ranchi. The personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and doused the fire.
Pakur superintendent of police Rajiv Ranjan Singh said, “All the passengers have escaped unhurt.
The rear end of the bus where the engine and AC were installed had caught fire.” The reason for the fire is not yet known, added the SP.
Police sources said one private bus approaching at Badhkiyari village under Maheshpur police station here on Wednesday morning, the driver saw thick smoke coming out from back side.
Suddenly, the bus caught fire near back portion and flames spread in all directions. The driver immediately stopped the bus and asked the passengers to run for safety.
Passengers, in a grip of fear, jumped out the bus. Women and children fled the bus in tears. On hearing the cry of the passengers, autorickshaw drivers, villagers and driver of the bus poured water on the fire section. Police said an electric short circuit in wires might have led to the fire.
