BENGALURU: A private bus caught fire on National Highway-48 near Hanumantapura gate in Nelamangala taluk in the early hours of Friday. The bus, belonging to Sanjana Travels, was travelling from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi with around 40 passengers on board.
The incident occurred when the bus collided with an electricity pole, causing a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Miraculously, all passengers, including the driver and conductor, escaped with minor injuries. The fire brigade and police responded promptly, and the fire was brought under control. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus was travelling at high speed and collided with the electric pole while trying to overtake another vehicle. The luggage compartment of the bus, which was carrying inflammable goods such as paint, electronic items, and clothes, caught fire, contributing to the blaze.
A couple, Shivanand Hiremath and Shilpa Hiremath, who were travelling with their two children, alleged that the bus driver was driving rashly and was under the influence of alcohol. They also claimed that they had lost around Rs 5 lakh in cash and three pieces of gold ornaments in the fire.
The couple has filed a complaint against Sanjana Travels with the Nelamangala police, alleging negligence on the part of the bus driver. The police are investigating the incident and have seized the CCTV footage from the Jass Toll Plaza near the site of the incident.
