Lucky escape for passengers after Bengaluru-bound SRS bus catches fire

Bengaluru: Nearly 33 persons aboard a Bengaluru-bound bus, including two drivers and a cleaner, escaped unhurt after their bus was engulfed in flames on National Highway-48 near Kyatasandra during wee hours of Saturday.

The non-air-conditioned sleeper bus, operated by SRS Travels was plying between Kembhavi in Surpur district and Bengaluru when the incident took place at around 5.30 am.

A passenger who was sleeping on the upper seat spotted the fire and alerted others. The driver immediately stopped the bus and all the persons quickly alighted from the bus.

The fire was triggered due to a spark in the engine said a police official. Since the mishap took place in the early morning hours most of the passengers were awake and hence managed to get down, he added.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Losses due to fire mishap is estimated to be around Rs 25 lakh.