BMTC bus catches fire, 32 passengers rescued

An alert BMTC bus driver saved the lives of 32 passengers moments before the vehicle got engulfed in fire on Sunday morning.

Tension gripped passengers after an accidental fire broke out in the moving BMTC bus at Ram Mandir near Bashyam Circle in Rajajinagar.

The fire and emergency services officials said around 11.30 pm, the bus was moving to Rajajinagar 6th Block from Majestic. When the bus reached near Ram Mandir, thick smoke started emanating just a moment before it caught fire.

The quick-thinking driver without wasting any time stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road. This helped passengers to get out of the bus in nick of time.

B Lokesh, an auto driver, who called the fire service, and eyewitnesses said the driver jumped from the bus and took help of conductor and locals to help passengers get out. There were a few women and children on the bus but all were rescued without any injuries.

Fire and emergency services officials rushed to the spot and doused the blaze. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the battery.