Narrow escape for 30 passengers as private bus hits electric pole, catches fire on Bengaluru–Tumkur highway

BENGALURU: Around 30 passengers had a narrow escape after a private bus caught fire and was completely gutted on the Tumkur–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48) near Indiranagar Colony of Hanumanthapura Gate in Nelamangala taluk in the intervening hours of Friday.Based on the preliminary investigation, police said the incident occurred between 1.30 am and 1.45 am. The bus, bearing registration number KA-01-AS-7740 and belonging to Sanjana Travels, was travelling from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi when the mishap took place.With road construction work under way on the highway, the driver reportedly lost control and ran onto the footpath. The bus hit an electric pole erected by BESCOM and tilted towards the left. Sensing danger, the passengers, driver and cleaner quickly evacuated the vehicle. Within minutes, the bus caught fire and the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire vehicle.Police said the power supply in the area was briefly cut off and restored only after the passengers managed to come out of the bus, resulting in a narrow escape. Had the power supply not been disrupted, the incident could have turned into a major tragedy.Passengers escaped with minor bruises sustained when the bus hit the pole. The intensity of the blaze was so high that the vehicle was completely gutted within minutes. Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and pressed a water tanker into service to douse the flames.Police officers from Thyamagondlu police station and Nelamangala Traffic Police visited the spot and cleared the traffic.While the passengers were relieved to have escaped with their lives, many were left distressed as all their belongings stored in the luggage compartment were destroyed in the fire. Several passengers were seen in tears after losing their valuables in the incident, a police officer said. Thyamagondlu police have registered a case and are investigating.