A luxury Volvo bus operating between Hyderabad and Bengaluru became the scene of a terrifying incident when it caught fire in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district on Tuesday. The dramatic blaze, which completely gutted the vehicle, fortunately resulted in no casualties as all passengers managed to escape safely.
Miraculous Escape for All Passengers
According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, the bus was carrying approximately 40 passengers when the driver noticed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. Showing remarkable presence of mind, the driver immediately halted the vehicle near Gani Atmakur and evacuated all passengers before the situation escalated.
"The driver's quick thinking prevented what could have been a major tragedy," stated a local police official. "All passengers were safely evacuated before the fire spread, and we're relieved to report no injuries."
Rapid Response from Emergency Services
Fire department personnel from Kurnool rushed to the scene upon receiving emergency calls. Despite their prompt response, the intensity of the fire had already consumed most of the bus by the time they arrived.
"The entire bus was engulfed in flames when we reached the spot," reported a fire department official. "Our teams worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby areas. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation."
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest an electrical short circuit might have triggered the blaze, though mechanical failure hasn't been ruled out.
The incident has raised important questions about vehicle maintenance and safety protocols for intercity luxury buses. Transportation officials have assured that a comprehensive review will be conducted to prevent similar incidents in the future.
