A private bus carrying 52 students from Paavai Engineering College in Namakkal, along with seven other passengers and five staff members, caught fire near Kallar at Mettupalayam.
Coimbatore: In a harrowing incident early Sunday, a private bus carrying 52 students from Paavai Engineering College in Namakkal, along with seven other passengers and five staff members, caught fire near Kallar at Mettupalayam. The bus, en route from Udhagamandalam in the Nilgiris district to Namakkal, was completely engulfed by flames. Remarkably, all passengers managed to escape unharmed.
The incident occurred as the students and staff were returning home after an industrial visit in Ooty. Having commenced their journey from Ooty on Friday night, they began their return trip around 8:30 pm. At approximately 1:30 am on Sunday, alert motorists noticed a fire near the right rear tyre of the bus. Swift action from the driver and timely alerts allowed all passengers to safely disembark before the fire consumed the vehicle on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor road.
Mettupalayam police and fire and rescue services responded promptly, reaching the scene within 15 minutes. Firefighters battled the flames for an hour, eventually gaining control. Traffic came to a standstill on the route for over an hour due to the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the bus's brake drum overheated, likely due to frequent braking while descending the hills. In response, the college management arranged an alternative bus for the students, who resumed their journey to Namakkal the following morning.
Authorities have called for a thorough inspection of the bus to determine the exact cause of the fire. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance and cautious driving, especially on challenging terrains, to ensure the safety of passengers.
The incident occurred as the students and staff were returning home after an industrial visit in Ooty. Having commenced their journey from Ooty on Friday night, they began their return trip around 8:30 pm. At approximately 1:30 am on Sunday, alert motorists noticed a fire near the right rear tyre of the bus. Swift action from the driver and timely alerts allowed all passengers to safely disembark before the fire consumed the vehicle on the Mettupalayam-Coonoor road.
Mettupalayam police and fire and rescue services responded promptly, reaching the scene within 15 minutes. Firefighters battled the flames for an hour, eventually gaining control. Traffic came to a standstill on the route for over an hour due to the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the bus's brake drum overheated, likely due to frequent braking while descending the hills. In response, the college management arranged an alternative bus for the students, who resumed their journey to Namakkal the following morning.
Authorities have called for a thorough inspection of the bus to determine the exact cause of the fire. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance and cautious driving, especially on challenging terrains, to ensure the safety of passengers.