Breaking: Fire erupts in moving bus, panic among passengers
Babushahi Bureau
Mathura, October 20, 2025: A major tragedy was narrowly averted late Sunday night on the Agra-Delhi National Highway when a private sleeper bus traveling from Gurugram to Hamirpur suddenly caught fire near Mathura. The incident triggered chaos among passengers, some of whom jumped out of the moving bus to save their lives. Three passengers sustained minor burn injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
How the Incident Happened
- Fire in a Moving Bus:
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. near the railway bridge in the Refinery police station area. Flames suddenly erupted from the rear portion of the moving bus, spreading panic among the passengers.
- Driver’s Quick Thinking:
The bus driver, Bhup Singh, acted promptly upon noticing the fire. He pulled the bus over to the roadside and alerted the sleeping passengers by shouting for help.
- Passengers Jumped to Safety:
Terrified passengers began jumping out of the bus to escape the flames. Fortunately, most managed to get out safely, though three passengers suffered minor burns while doing so.
Cause of Fire and Police Action
- Possible Short Circuit or Negligence:
Circle Officer (Refinery) Shweta Verma said the preliminary investigation suggests a short circuit or wiring fault may have caused the fire. However, some reports claim that the fire could have started from a cigarette being smoked by a passenger in the rear section of the bus.
- Fire Brought Under Control:
Upon receiving the alert, two fire brigade vehicles and local police rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control after considerable effort.
- Traffic Disruption:
The blaze led to a massive traffic jam on the highway that lasted nearly two hours, causing inconvenience to commuters. The police later used a crane to remove the burnt bus and restore normal traffic flow.
The injured passengers are reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical treatment. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.