Narrow Escape For 35 As Bus Catches Fire in Anakapalle District

Visakhapatnam: All the 35 passengers travelling on a private travel AC bus from Bhubaneswar (Odisha) to Chennai (Tamil Nadu) had a miraculous escape when the bus caught fire and was completely gutted on NH-16 near the Regupalem locality under Yelamanchili mandal in Anakapalle district on Thursday night.

The incident triggered panic among passengers and commuters. Fortunately, the bus crew acted promptly, ensuring that all 35 passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle before the flames intensified and the vehicle gutted.

The passengers said a private bus belonging to Tulsi Travels departed from Bhubaneswar and stopped near a roadside hotel for dinner on Thursday night. After the passengers and crew finished their meal, the bus resumed its journey towards Chennai via Vizag and Anakapalle districts.

The driver of the bus noticed flares in the engine and immediately stopped the bus. He alerted all the passengers (some were asleep), who got off the bus immediately. The flames engulfed the bus; within minutes it was completely destroyed.

Based on the information, the police and fire service personnel rushed there and put out the flames, but by the time they arrived, the bus was completely gutted in the fire. Few passengers lost their luggage in the flames.

The Anakapalle district police said an electrical short-circuit was suspected to be the reason for the fire mishap. The incident disrupted the vehicular traffic on the stretch for some time. The police said all the passengers on the bus escaped safely without injury due to the swift response by the driver. The officials made alternative travel arrangements for the passengers to reach Chennai.