Barmer/Jaisalmer: An official forensic report has concluded that a short circuit in the air conditioning system’s faulty wiring was the cause of the tragic bus fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Highway on October 14, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
According to Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team found no evidence of flammable or explosive materials on the private sleeper bus. He stated, “The report clearly indicates that the fire originated from the AC wiring and spread due to a lack of proper safety measures. This was a preventable tragedy caused by negligence.”
The FSL team, comprising experts from Jaipur and Jodhpur, inspected the site on October 15. Their findings revealed that the fire started on the bus’s roof and rapidly spread through the cabin.
Investigators determined that the AC unit, installed on the roof, was directly connected to the engine. Sparks from this connection ignited the wiring, leading to a swift engulfment of the bus in smoke.
The report also noted that many passengers succumbed to suffocation from carbon monoxide gas. Attempts to escape by breaking windows allowed in fresh air, which unfortunately fanned the flames, intensifying the fire and leading to the complete destruction of the bus within moments.
Further examination of the bus’s undercarriage, tires, and fuel tank showed no signs of damage, confirming the fire did not originate from the lower sections. Firecrackers discovered in the luggage compartment were found to be waterlogged and showed no signs of explosion, ruling them out as a cause.
The investigation uncovered significant violations of safety standards, including the improper installation of AC wiring to the engine and the use of non-fire-resistant materials in the bus’s construction. It was also confirmed that the transport department’s inspection team had previously assessed the bus.
In connection with the incident, the police have arrested the bus owner, the driver, and the workshop owner responsible for building the bus body. They face charges of gross negligence and safety standard violations.