Terrifying visuals emerge as Odisha RTC bus catches fire in middle of the road | WATCH

Salur: A potentially tragic accident was averted on Thursday morning when an Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus caught fire near Roddavalsa, about 20 kilometres from Salur in Andhra Pradesh’s Parvathipuram Manyam district.

The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. as the bus was travelling through the Sunki Ghat road. According to officials, a woman passenger noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle and immediately alerted the driver. Reacting swiftly, the driver stopped the bus and safely evacuated all passengers on board before the fire could spread.

Police later confirmed that ten passengers were travelling on the bus, and no injuries or casualties were reported. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ankita Surana said preliminary reports suggested that a short circuit or engine spark could have caused the fire, although the exact cause is yet to be determined.

Fire tenders were promptly dispatched to the scene and managed to douse the flames. The bus, identified as an Ashok Leyland BS VI model (OD 10 S 6754), was not air-conditioned. Officials from both the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha transport departments arrived at the site to assess the damage.

Odisha Transport Minister M. Ramprasad announced that a committee led by a regional manager-level officer has been constituted to investigate the incident and ensure safety checks on similar vehicles in operation.

The driver’s prompt response and composure under pressure have been widely praised for preventing what could have been a major tragedy during the busy morning route.

The bus, belonging to the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation, was en route to Odisha when it caught fire near the Andhra-Odisha border. Local reports indicate that the fire began near the engine compartment while the vehicle was climbing uphill on the Sunki Ghat stretch — a winding road known for its steep gradient and narrow turns.

Upon noticing smoke, the driver quickly stopped the bus on the roadside and instructed passengers to get out immediately. Within minutes, the flames engulfed the front section of the vehicle. Eyewitnesses said the fire spread rapidly but was contained before it reached nearby vehicles.

Firefighters arrived soon after and managed to extinguish the blaze. Authorities have launched a technical inspection to determine whether a mechanical fault, electrical short circuit, or overheating caused the fire.

Transport officials have emphasised that all OSRTC buses will undergo maintenance checks following the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Police said the driver’s timely action and the passengers’ calm response were crucial in avoiding casualties, highlighting the importance of quick decision-making during emergencies.
(With PTI inputs)