Auto driver’s alert saves 13 as bus catches fire in Puducherry

Thirteen passengers escaped unhurt after a private luxury bus caught fire on the 100 Feet Road flyover at Mudaliarpet here on Monday night, following a timely warning by an auto driver.
The bus, operated by a private company, had departed from Puducherry for Pollachi around 10 p.m. and was proceeding towards Cuddalore. While the vehicle was descending the flyover at Mudaliarpet, an auto driver travelling behind noticed flames emerging from the rear portion of the bus and immediately alerted the driver to stop.
Responding quickly, the bus driver halted the vehicle, allowing all 13 passengers to get down in panic moments before the fire spread rapidly. Within seconds, the bus was completely engulfed in flames.
The Fire and Rescue Services were alerted, and two fire tenders from the Puducherry city fire station rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. However, all belongings of the passengers kept inside the bus were completely gutted.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by an engine malfunction. Though firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, the bus was reduced to ashes.
Officials said the timely alert by the auto driver helped avert a major tragedy, as all passengers escaped without sustaining injuries.