KSRTC bus catches fire in Karnataka, 32 passengers safe

A KSRTC bus caught fire near Melya village in Gauribidanuru taluk, Chikkaballapur district, around 4pm on Saturday. The bus was travelling from Gauribidanuru to Madipadugu village with 32 passengers on board. No injuries were reported.

Divisional controller Siddalingesh said the driver noticed a spark in the engine starter and immediately alerted passengers. The driver and conductor helped elderly passengers and children evacuate. Though the bus had a fire extinguisher, the crew could not use it as they were busy evacuating people.

A portion of the bus was gutted. Repairs are planned, and the bus is expected to return to service within a week, Siddalingesh said.