APSRTC Bus Gutted in Fire Near Petrol Pump in Visakhapatnam; All Passengers Safe
The fire caused anxiety among residents and commuters, as the bus went up in flames dangerously close to a petrol pump station.
Visakhapatnam: An Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus was completely destroyed in a fire incident near the Fourth Town police station signal point in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
The bus, travelling from Kurmannapalem to Vizianagaram, caught fire due to an electrical short circuit, but swift action by the driver ensured that there were no casualties.
The incident occurred when the bus driver noticed smoke and flames erupting from the vehicle. “All the passengers were safe and got down before it caught fire,” confirmed a traffic police personnel present at the scene.
The fire caused anxiety among residents and commuters, as the bus went up in flames dangerously close to a petrol pump station.
APSRTC regional manager Appala Naidu confirmed that there was no loss of life. “The bus staff immediately identified the problem, alerted passengers and ensured their safety. A thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the electrical short circuit and to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said.
Transport minister Mandinapalli Ramprasad Reddy directed officials to take immediate action regarding the accident. “The minister has ordered officials to ensure that no such incidents are repeated,” an official statement said.