BEST bus catches fire in Mumbai’s Vikhroli; no passengers injured

Bus driver Sanjay Suryawanshi and conductor Ajit Sarate were the only people on the bus. (Express Photo)

The fire started at around 1.30 pm when the bus, with serial number 8009 and vehicle registration number MH 01 DR 9579, was taking a U-turn at the Gandhi Nagar signal after dropping passengers at the Gandhi Nagar bus stop. Bus driver Sanjay Suryawanshi and conductor Ajit Sarate were the only people on the bus. Sarate sustained minor burns on his right hand and Suryawanshi escaped injury but lost his license in the fire.

“The bus functioned properly all the way coming from Bandra, but while taking a U-turn at the Gandhi Nagar signal, I noticed fumes coming from the engine. I immediately parked the bus on the side, and we got down. Shortly after, the bus caught fire,” said Suryawanshi.

After the fire was reported, two fire brigade vehicles were called to the spot to control the blaze. Firefighters, who reached the spot, extinguished the fire by 2.15 pm, preventing further damage or the spread of the flames, said officials. The swift response from the fire department and local authorities helped ensure that the fire was contained without any major injuries, they added.

Arun Shirsat, Accident Officer, Maharashtra Police, also reached the site to assess the situation and oversee rescue efforts. Shirsat said the fire was brought under control and there was no risk to the public after the fire was put off. “We are relieved that there were no passengers on board when the fire broke out, and the driver and conductor only suffered minor injuries. The situation was managed quickly, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said Shirsat.

Authorities said traffic in the area was not affected, as the bus was moved from the road once the fire was extinguished.

The bus was on lease from Mateshwari Transport, a Mumbai-based company. The vehicle had been in service as part of the city’s public transport network before the incident occurred.