PUNE: As many as 29 passengers of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus plying between Swargate and Kolhapur on Friday morning barely escaped from a tragedy after the engine caught fire.

As per the officials, “Shivshahi bus (MH 12 E 8031) departed from Swargate station going towards Kolhapur with 29 passengers.  When the bus was passing through Bhilarewadi near Katraj the engine caught fire. The driver’s alertness averted a major tragedy.”

The driver immediately contacted the fire department. Firemen Ramdas Shinde, Mahadev Mangde, Pankaj Ingawle, Sagar Ingle, Nilesh Tagunde, Shubham Shirke and Rupesh Jamble reached the spot. “The final report will be submitted to the divisional controller,” said a senior officer of Swargate Depot.