Punalur: A moving KSRTC bus caught fire while en route on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha highway, specifically near Nellipally, at around 2.30 pm on Monday. Fortunately, quick action by the driver, who promptly stopped the bus and evacuated the passengers, prevented any injuries.

The ordinary bus, travelling from Punalur to Kayamkulam and belonging to the Kayamkulam depot, experienced the incident just minutes after departing from Punalur depot. Upon noticing flames erupting from the underside of the vehicle, the driver halted the bus, allowing all passengers to disembark swiftly. The fire, which appeared to have originated from a diesel leak, spread rapidly from the lower section of the bus.

Onlookers and nearby shopkeepers rushed to the scene with water to douse the flames. The Fire Force also arrived shortly thereafter. The engine compartment of the bus was severely damaged by the fire, and the vehicle was subsequently moved to the roadside. Passengers were then transferred to other buses for their onward journey.