Kanpur: Around 40 passengers escaped unharmed after a private double-decker bus travelling from Delhi to Rath in Hamirpur caught fire on the Agra-Kanpur National Highway in Etawah early Monday. The blaze engulfed the bus and destroyed passengers’ belongings, including gold and silver jewellery and other important items, while firefighters took more than two hours to bring it under control.
Bus Fire Causes Panic and Loss at Friends Colony
A bus caught fire in front of Siya Devi Memorial Hospital in the Friends Colony police station area, leading to widespread panic among passengers. The flames rapidly consumed the vehicle, prompting immediate responses from police, administration, and fire department teams. Multiple fire tenders were dispatched from headquarters, and firefighters managed to control the blaze after more than two hours.
Authorities suspect a short circuit as the cause of the fire, and an investigation is underway. CO City Avneesh Kumar Singh confirmed that legal action is being pursued.
Passengers reported losses exceeding lakhs of rupees, including valuable items such as gold and silver jewellery. After the fire was extinguished, many searched the area around the bus in hopes of retrieving their belongings. Notably, the driver and operator fled the scene following the incident. In the aftermath, authorities arranged alternative transportation for the affected passengers.