A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus operating on the Palampur–Chowki Khalet route was completely gutted after catching fire on Friday morning. All passengers, along with the driver and conductor, escaped safely before the flames engulfed the vehicle.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident, according to officials.
Fire spread rapidly through the bus
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly through the bus, leaving little chance to save the vehicle. Firefighters later brought the blaze under control. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.
According to The Tribune, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Palampur, OP Yadav, confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe.
"A major tragedy was averted as everyone managed to get out of the bus before it was engulfed in flames," he said.
The SDM added that HRTC officials have been informed and are looking into the matter.
Our Take: Quick evacuation prevented a tragedy
This incident is a reminder of how quickly a fire can spread in a public transport vehicle. The fact that everyone on board managed to get out safely is a relief. In our view, the driver and conductor deserve credit for acting quickly to evacuate passengers. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and HRTC must investigate thoroughly to prevent similar incidents in the future. Passengers on such routes should also be aware of emergency exits and remain alert.
