33 Hyderabad-Bound Passengers From Bengaluru Escape as Bus Catches Fire

ANANTAPUR: Thirty-three passengers travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad escaped unhurt after their private bus caught fire and was completely gutted on National Highway 44 in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district early Friday, September 4.

The fire broke out at about 2:50 a.m. near Miduturu village in Peddavaduguru mandal, according to police. PTI reported that the bus was carrying 33 passengers and four staff members, taking the total number of people aboard to 37. All were evacuated safely before flames engulfed the vehicle.

Police said the first signs of trouble were noticed near the rear of the bus. A passenger seated toward the back spotted the fire and alerted the driver, who immediately pulled over on the highway. Other reports said the driver noticed smoke while passing through the village. In either account, the quick stop allowed everyone aboard to get out before the blaze spread through the bus.

Within minutes, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and was eventually completely gutted.

Personnel from Peddavadugur police and the fire services rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.

Anantapur district Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh later visited the scene and directed officials to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident and submit a report, according to reporting based on police information.

Police registered a case of accidental fire. While some initial reports suggested that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze, police told PTI that the exact cause had not yet been determined. Investigators are examining how the fire started and spread through the vehicle.

The incident occurred on NH-44, the principal highway corridor used by buses and other vehicles travelling between Bengaluru and Hyderabad through Anantapur and Kurnool.

The safe evacuation prevented a potentially serious overnight highway tragedy, particularly because many passengers would have been asleep when the first signs of the fire appeared.