Wagholi: A major accident was averted in the Tulja Bhavani Nagar area near Kharadi when a school bus caught fire around 2 PM.

The bus, belonging to Phoenix World School, had 15 to 20 students on board at the time. All the students were safely evacuated before the fire spread.

After the students were rescued, the fire rapidly intensified, completely consuming the vehicle. Two fire engines from the municipal fire brigade were deployed to extinguish the flames. Despite their efforts, the bus was entirely destroyed in the fire.

Suspected Cause

Initial investigations by the fire brigade suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. However, a detailed probe is underway to confirm the cause.

Timely Response Praised

The quick action of the bus staff and fire brigade in evacuating the students and containing the fire prevented any casualties.

Local residents and parents commended the timely efforts, expressing relief that the children were unharmed.

The incident has raised concerns about vehicle maintenance and safety protocols, particularly for school buses. Authorities have urged schools to conduct regular inspections to prevent such mishaps.

A few days back, a school bus driver at Sinhagad City School, Kondhwa, lost his life to electrocution while cleaning a bus on the school premises. The incident occurred on October 18. The deceased driver, Santosh Pandurang Malvadkar (47), was a resident of Pisoli, Kondhwa.