45 Passengers Escape Safely After Bus Catches Fire on Ranchi-Lohardaga Highway

Police officials have summoned the bus owner for questioning regarding the incident.

Approximately 40 passengers narrowly escaped danger when their bus suddenly caught fire while in motion near Ranchi on Saturday evening, according to local police reports.

The incident occurred on the Ranchi-Lohardaga highway as the vehicle was traveling from the state capital to Chatra.

"The bus was carrying nearly 45 passengers when it unexpectedly caught fire in the vicinity of Mandar Bazar," explained Manoj Karmali, officer-in-charge at the Mandar police station, in a statement to PTI.

"Fortunately, the driver stopped the vehicle promptly, allowing all passengers to evacuate safely. A fire tender arrived at the scene shortly thereafter, but by that time, local shopkeepers had already extinguished the flames. No passengers sustained injuries, and no significant damage to personal belongings was reported," he continued.

Investigators suspect the fire originated from a short circuit near the battery compartment and was exacerbated by chemical solutions being transported on the bus.

"The bus has been secured at the police station compound, and alternative transportation arrangements were made to ensure passengers could continue to their destination," Karmali added.

Law enforcement officials have called the bus owner in for questioning regarding potential safety violations, including the absence of required fire extinguishers.

This incident follows a tragic accident on Friday when 20 people lost their lives after a Bengaluru-bound private bus caught fire in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district following a collision with a two-wheeler.