A Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus caught fire on the busy MG Road near Anil Kumble Circle around 8.50 am on Tuesday, July 9. No casualties were reported. The fire, which originated from the engine of the bus bearing registration number KA 57 F 1232, was quickly extinguished by fire department officials.

Videos taken by passersby showed the bus in flames with thick smoke rising as firefighters worked to put out the fire.  “I was on the way to Shivaji Nagar, after we reached MG road, the traffic signal was red so I turned off the vehicle. I tried restarting it but the vehicle did not start, I then tried to turn off and restart the ignition. I could smell smoke and when I checked, a fire erupted suddenly. I tried extinguishing the fire but it did not stop and immediately evacuated the passengers,” the bus driver, Rajkumar told Kannada news channel, TV9.

The BMTC bus, which belongs to the Koramangala depot, was carrying 30 passengers at the time. Due to the quick actions of the driver, all passengers were evacuated safely. The fire tender arrived at the scene by 9.00 am, managing to control and extinguish the fire before it could cause further damage. The incident caused major traffic congestion and the traffic police diverted vehicles to other roads.

BMTC officials confirmed that there were no casualties and said that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.