HORRIFYING PICTURES: 26 PASSENGERS WERE ON BOARD WHEN BUS CAUGHT FIRE

In a shocking case, twenty-six passengers travelling to Bengaluru from Hyderabad in a Yellow Travels sleeper bus (AR028055) escaped death by inches after the bus caught fire and was reduced to ashes in no time.

The incident took place at Yenugumarri, 10 km from Peapully, on NH 44. Unfortunately, the passengers lost a fair amount of their belongings to the fire.

According to Deccan Chronicle reports, all passengers have been reported to be safe. The cause of the fire, although yet to be ascertained, is suspected to be a short circuit.

Meanwhile, Peapully circle inspector Mulakanna said that "a passenger who was sleeping in the last row noticed smoke and alerted the driver, Anjaneyulu, who then pulled over immediately and asked all passengers to disembark."

"There were 29 sleeper berths inside the bus out of which, three were unoccupied. The luggage lost in the fire includes laptops, personal belongings, and cameras. A case was booked under section 336 of the IPC," Mulakanna added.

Media reports say that, fire officer Veera Reddy said "he heard from the driver around 3.30 am on Thursday, however, the bus was on fire by the time he got there. Two fire tenders reached the spot and doused the fire and a crane lifted the charred body of the vehicle and cleared the road."

"Some of passengers returned to Hyderabad and most of them proceeded to Bengaluru by other buses," the CI added.