Haveri, 5 May

A major tragedy was averted after a State-run bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gadag caught on fire near Devaragudda, in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident occurred when the bus was proceeding along the National Highway, and a sudden fire broke out in the engine compartment. Thick smoke quickly engulfed the vehicle, triggering panic among the passengers.

The driver immediately pulled over to the roadside and instructed all passengers to disembark without delay. All 17 passengers onboard managed to escape safely.

Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly and gutted the entire bus. Fire and emergency services personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames, but the vehicle was completely destroyed by then.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit may have caused the fire, though the exact reason is yet to be ascertained.

A case has been registered at the Ranebennur Rural Police Station.