A Visakhapatnam bus fire was reported after all passengers had safely alighted at the Dwaraka bus station, with the empty APSRTC vehicle later catching fire while it was being driven towards the Waltair Depot on Saturday.
APSRTC Visakhapatnam Regional Manager Appala Naidu said the bus belonged to the Nellore-1 Depot in Zone 3. It had begun its journey at 5 pm the previous day and completed its overnight trip before arriving at the Dwaraka bus station at about 7 am.
According to Naidu, all passengers disembarked after the bus reached the station, and parcel services were also completely unloaded. The vehicle was therefore empty when the fire began during its onward movement to the Waltair Depot, where designated rest quarters are maintained for Zone-III personnel.
The driver noticed smoke coming from the vehicle while travelling towards the depot. He immediately pulled over to the side of the road and informed the local Assistant Engineer, Assistant Manager and Depot Manager, Naidu said.
Fire engines were alerted after the incident was reported. Despite the prompt response, the bus engine and the rest of the vehicle were completely gutted in the fire, according to the regional manager’s account.
The incident highlights the safety risks that can arise even after a long-distance public transport service has completed its passenger journey. In this case, the bus had already reached its destination, passengers had left the vehicle and parcel unloading had been completed before smoke was detected during its movement to the depot.
The account released by APSRTC identifies the vehicle’s operating depot, journey schedule and the officials who were alerted after the driver observed the smoke. It does not provide details about the cause of the fire, the age or maintenance history of the bus, or whether any other vehicles or property were affected.
APSRTC’s immediate response, as described by the regional manager, involved the driver stopping the bus, notifying the local administrative chain and alerting fire services. The vehicle was completely damaged in the incident, while the passengers had already disembarked at Dwaraka station before the fire broke out.
Further details about the cause of the fire and any follow-up inspection or departmental action were not provided in the account.
