At least 21 children from Bal Bharati Public School had a narrow escape after their bus caught fire in north west Delhi's Rohini area on Thursday. No one was injured in the incident due to quick thinking by the driver of the vehicle, but three cars next to the bus also caught fire.
According to fire department officials, they received information about the incident at 2.14 P.M. following which three fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze.Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg said the vehicle caught fire near a dispensary at Sai Baba Mandir T-point in Rohini Sector 7. "The bus (Tempo Traveller) of Bal Bharati Public School carrying 21 children caught fire. All the kids and the driver escaped unhurt," he said. Pranav Tayal, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Rohini district, said at 2.21 P.M. a police control room (PCR) call regarding fire in a bus at Sector 7 Rohini was received at North Rohini police station following which the Station House Officer (SHO) along with staff reached the place and the crowd was controlled. “On enquiry it was found that the vehicle was ferrying 21 children of Bal Bharati Public School, who were evacuated safe and sound by the driver of the mini bus, identified as Sanjay Solanki, a resident of Village Pooth,” said DCP. The bus driver said he noticed a foul smell coming from the engine of the bus following which he immediately took all the kids out of it.
“After the children got down from the vehicle, it caught fire. One of my acquaintances was passing the area with his bus and I asked him to drop all the kids to their homes. I was alone today as the helper of the bus was unwell. All the students are safe and sound. The school authorities have asked me to meet them tomorrow morning," Solanki said.