Visakhapatnam: Panic gripped commuters on Thursday when an RTC bus caught fire on National Highway-5 near Shantipuram in the city. Flames suddenly erupted inside the moving bus, forcing the driver to stop immediately. Passengers quickly got down, escaping unhurt, even as the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the entire vehicle.
The incident created tension as a petrol bunk was located close to the accident spot. Locals feared a major disaster if the fire spread further. However, prompt action by fire services helped avert any tragedy. Firefighters rushed to the scene with two fire tenders and brought the blaze under control.
According to officials, the bus was traveling from Kurmannapalem to Vizianagaram when the mishap occurred. Passengers acted swiftly and remained calm, which ensured that there were no injuries. Authorities confirmed that all travelers were safe and shifted to another vehicle.
RTC Regional Manager Appalanaidu said preliminary investigation pointed to a short circuit as the cause of the fire. He assured that a detailed probe is underway to determine the exact reasons. Officials praised the driver’s quick reaction and the passengers’ timely evacuation, which helped avoid loss of life.
