Pune: A private bus traveling from Bengaluru to Jaipur caught fire unexpectedly on the old Pune-Mumbai highway around 7 PM on Sunday (October 6), leading to a chaotic scene but, fortunately, no loss of life. The bus had 33 passengers on board, all of whom were safely evacuated by the quick actions of the crew.

The incident occurred shortly after the bus descended from the Waghjai Temple area on the highway. According to eyewitnesses, flames erupted suddenly, prompting the driver to swiftly stop the vehicle and assist passengers in exiting the bus.

The driver and cleaner, along with the passengers, managed to get out without injury, thanks to their prompt response.

Emergency services, including the IRB (Infrastructure Development and Maintenance Department) and the local fire department, arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised.

They worked diligently to bring the fire under control; however, the bus was completely engulfed in flames by the time they arrived and was ultimately reduced to ashes.

The incident caused significant traffic disruptions on the old Pune-Mumbai highway, leading to long queues of vehicles as authorities worked to clear the area.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, and officials have not yet released any information regarding potential mechanical failures or other contributing factors. Further updates regarding the investigation are awaited.