NATIONAL: Sleeper bus catches fire; passengers safe!
A harrowing start to the day unfolded on one of India’s busiest expressways when a luxury sleeper bus erupted in flames.
The early morning scare near a key toll point left passengers scrambling, but quick thinking turned potential tragedy into a tale of relief. As investigations begin, questions swirl about vehicle safety on long hauls.
Early Morning Outbreak
The double-decker AC sleeper bus, en route from Delhi to Gonda with a stop in Lucknow, hit trouble around 4:45 am on October 26.
Just 500 meters shy of the Revri Toll Plaza on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, sparks flew from a rear wheel.
Flames licked upward fast, turning the vehicle into a fireball in moments.
Driver Jagat Singh spotted the danger first. He pulled over sharply, barking orders to wake and exit the sleeping travelers.
Within seconds, all 39 aboard tumbled out into the chill dawn air, hearts pounding but bodies unscathed.
Coordinated Rescue Effort
Word spread like the fire itself, drawing local tea vendors who raised the alarm.
Police from nearby posts mobilized instantly, sirens cutting through the quiet.
Fire tenders roared in soon after, three units strong, battling the inferno for a full hour before declaring it doused.
The scene was controlled chaos: acrid smoke billowed as crews hosed down the gutted chassis.
No one got trapped, a small mercy amid the wreckage. Traffic crawled past, rubberneckers gawking at the charred shell towed aside.
Key response highlights:
- Alert raised by roadside vendors and driver.
- There were 39 passengers, and the driver was fully accounted for; no injuries.
- Blaze contained without spreading to nearby lanes.
Journey Resumes, Probe Underway
The bus operator wasted no time, dispatching a replacement vehicle to ferry the shaken group onward.
Gratitude flowed toward Singh, hailed as the hero who kept panic at bay. Families waiting in Gonda got calls of relief, not dread.
Authorities now sift through the ashes for clues. Early signs point to a wheel fault, but deeper checks loom on maintenance logs and tire standards.
This close call echoes recent bus fires across the nation, urging a hard look at fleet vigilance.