In a terrifying incident that could have ended in tragedy, forty-five passengers had a miraculous escape after the private bus they were travelling in caught fire near Chitradurga in Karnataka. The accident occurred on Monday, but the survivors' harrowing tales of a narrow escape are only now coming to light.
A Journey Interrupted by Flames and Smoke
The bus, operated by Sharma Travels, was on its regular route from Bengaluru to Shivamogga. The journey took a horrific turn around 5:30 AM on Monday when the vehicle was near the village of Ghati on the outskirts of Hiriyur taluk. Passengers were jolted awake by shouts and the smell of burning.
The fire is believed to have originated from a short circuit in the engine compartment at the front of the bus. Flames and thick, acrid smoke quickly began to fill the cabin, plunging the passengers into a state of panic. In the chaos, the driver managed to bring the burning vehicle to a halt by the side of the National Highway.
“Thank God It Was a Non-AC Bus”: The Key to Survival
In the aftermath, survivors pointed to one crucial design feature that they believe saved their lives: the bus was not air-conditioned. Unlike sealed AC coaches, this bus had windows that could be manually opened.
“We are glad it was a non-AC bus. We could open the windows and jump out to safety. If it was an AC bus, the situation would have been different,” recounted Manjunath, one of the passengers who escaped the inferno. His sentiment was echoed by many others on board.
The ability to open windows provided not just an escape route but also vital ventilation, preventing suffocation from the smoke. Passengers, including women and children, frantically pushed open windows and leaped out onto the road. The swift action of the driver in stopping the bus and the collective effort of the passengers ensured everyone evacuated in time.
Swift Response and Investigation
Local authorities and fire services from Hiriyur responded quickly to the emergency call. By the time they reached the spot, the bus was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters battled the blaze and prevented it from spreading. Fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported. A few passengers sustained minor bruises and injuries during the frantic exit and were given first aid at the scene.
Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary findings strongly point to an electrical fault. The bus was reduced to a charred metal skeleton, a stark visual testament to the intensity of the fire that the passengers managed to escape.
The incident has once again raised questions about vehicle safety standards and maintenance, particularly for long-distance private buses. Survivors' accounts highlight how a simple, often overlooked feature like manually operable windows can become the difference between life and death in an emergency.
For the forty-five people on board the Sharma Travels bus, it was a normal journey that turned into a nightmare, and a stroke of luck in the form of a non-AC design that turned into their lifeline.
