Vijayawada RTC bus gutted, driver and conductor avert mishap

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport (APSRTC) bus AP9Z 6409 belonging to Vijayawada Governorpet 2 depot travelling on route number 54 had caught fire and immediately gutted on Tuesday morning at 8:45am. The 70 commuters were led to safety by the driver A Venkateswara Rao and conductor Sirisha.

According to the details given by the driver, the bus was enroute to the Railway Station from Autonagar. But just as it reached the New Government Hospital near NTR Health University, the driver heard a strange sound in the engine.

Venkateswara Rao guessed about the impending danger and immediately alerted conductor Sirisha. He stopped the bus at the curb and both of them helped in disembarking the commuters. By then smoke started to pour out of the engine and then fire started from the left side of the bus.

The fire immediately spread to the whole bus and within minutes the entire bus gutted. Fire engines were called in and they controlled the fire. APSRTC officials are investigating the cause of leakage of gas in the bus which led to the fire.

The officials and the people appreciated Venkateswara Rao and Sirisha for their presence of mind and for saving the lives of 70 commuters.

• bus catches fire
• APSRTC
• passengers safety