A distressing incident unfolded in east Bengaluru on September 15 morning when a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus was completely destroyed by fire at the HAL bus stop. Remarkably, all 60 passengers on board, along with the crew, escaped unharmed.
Police reports indicate that the bus (vehicle No. KA 57 F 4568), operating from Depot-51 and en route to KBS, experienced an engine fire around 5:10 a.m. upon reaching the HAL stop.
The quick thinking and decisive actions of driver Jayachandra and conductor Chowdappa proved critical. They promptly ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers, who were then swiftly transferred to another bus to continue their journey.
Emergency services were immediately alerted by the bus crew. Fire and Emergency Services personnel quickly arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze, though not before it had fully consumed the bus.
Following the incident, a comprehensive investigation has been launched. A specialized technical team, spearheaded by BMTC’s Chief Mechanical Engineer, is collaborating with the police to determine the exact cause of the fire. The HAL police department is currently awaiting their detailed report.
In response, the BMTC released a statement reaffirming its unwavering commitment to passenger safety. The corporation pledged to implement all necessary technical enhancements without delay to prevent similar occurrences in the future.