Ujjain/Indore: More than 25 people, including the driver and conductor, had a narrow escape on Tuesday afternoon when a Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Seva bus caught fire near Ramwasa on Indore Road, shortly after one of its tyres burst. No casualties were reported, cops said.Nanakheda police station in-charge Narendra Kumar Yadav said that as per the diesel bus driver, the rear tyre burst suddenly and a spark followed. Passengers were asked to get off before the fire spread. The flames soon engulfed the bus, which was completely gutted.An official release from the Indore district administration placed the incident in the Panthpipalai area of Sanwer Road. The bus was plying between Ujjain and Indore via Panthpipalai, Sanwer and Dharampuri. AICTSL and the operator coordinated to get passengers off without delay and arranged their onward travel. No injuries had been reported as of the inspection.Sanjay Panchal, an attendant at the Municipal Corporation’s fire brigade control room, said one fire tender was sent from the Nanakheda sub-station and two from the headquarters. The fire was brought under control, but the bus was badly damaged. Police have registered a case of arson and begun an investigation.The cause has not been established. People at the spot said it could have been a tyre burst or a short circuit, but both remain only possible causes.The administration said a mechanical and fire-damage examination will determine the actual cause, and further action will follow its findings.On the collector’s directions, the district administration issued a show-cause notice to the operator, Messrs Dilraj Manmeet Transportation Private Limited, calling the incident “extremely serious and worrying”.The regional transport officer has been asked to cancel the vehicle’s stage carriage permit and check its fitness certificate and other compliance, including fire safety equipment, emergency exits, tyres, electrical wiring, insurance and PUC, before taking action as per rules.The administration said passenger safety is its highest priority. It said safety norms will be monitored in bus operations, and licences will be suspended where lapses are found.
