Midnight fire guts Nagpur–Mumbai bus on Samruddhi Expressway; 36 jump out in time

BULDHANA: A private passenger bus travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai caught fire on the Samruddhi Expressway after midnight near Shivni Pisa village, close to Sindkhed Raja in Mehekar taluka in Buldhana district. All 36 passengers jumped out of the burning bus before it was gutted.The alertness and swift action of the driver and conductor were crucial in averting a major tragedy. According to preliminary information, smoke was first noticed billowing from the rear of the speeding bus. Within moments, the fire intensified, triggering panic among passengers. A few passengers sustained minor injuries due to smoke inhalation and the chaos during evacuation. They were promptly shifted to a nearby hospital for first aid.On receiving information, police, highway patrol, disaster management teams, and the fire brigade rushed to the spot. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, but by then the bus had been reduced to ashes. Traffic on the Samruddhi Expressway was disrupted for some time following the incident.The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, though preliminary reports suggest a short circuit or technical malfunction may have triggered the blaze.The incident brought back memories of a tragic luxury bus fire on the same Samruddhi Expressway in July 2023, which claimed the lives of 26 passengers, once again raising concerns over vehicle safety and emergency preparedness on the high-speed corridor.Passengers lauded the driver and conductor for their alertness and presence of mind, saying their quick decision-making saved dozens of lives and prevented another catastrophe.