A private bus travelling from Kadapa to Vijayawada was completely gutted in a fire near Chundi village in Prakasam district around midnight, but all 33 passengers escaped without injuries after the driver evacuated them in time.
According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, the incident occurred in Valetivaripalem mandal after one of the bus’s tyres burst. The tyre failure was followed by a fire that rapidly spread through the vehicle, leaving it completely gutted.
The bus was carrying 33 passengers on the Kadapa–Vijayawada route when the incident took place. The driver noticed the danger and immediately moved the passengers out of the vehicle, preventing what could have become a major tragedy on the intercity route.
All passengers were reported to be safe and unhurt. The available report did not mention any injuries or fatalities among the passengers, driver or other people at the location.
The incident highlights the safety risks faced by passengers on long-distance private bus services, where a mechanical failure can quickly become an emergency. In this case, the immediate evacuation of the passengers helped ensure that the fire did not result in casualties.
Fire personnel reached the spot and took steps to control the blaze. The report did not provide details of the bus operator, the specific model of the vehicle, the extent of damage to the road or the outcome of any subsequent inspection.
The cause of the tyre burst and the circumstances in which the fire spread were not independently detailed in the report. Further information from transport authorities, fire officials or the bus operator would be needed to establish whether any maintenance or mechanical issues contributed to the incident.
The immediate operational status of the route and the fate of the passengers after the bus was destroyed were also not specified. The incident occurred near Chundi village in Valetivaripalem mandal, within Prakasam district, on the road connecting Kadapa and Vijayawada.
