Roadways bus catches fire, passengers safe

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 28

Over a dozen passengers had a narrow escape when a Punjab Roadways bus suddenly caught fire on the PAP flyover here this afternoon. The AC bus was heading to Chandigarh from Amritsar. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The fire was so intense that the bus was reduced to ashes. Fire tenders took 45 minutes to douse the flames. Traffic on the Jalandhar-Amritsar highway was hit for over half an hour.

Bus conductor Karan Pal Singh said when the bus reached near Pathankot Chowk in Jalandhar about 3 pm, smoke started emanating from the engine. Considering it to be a minor problem, he poured a bottle of water over it but within a few minutes, the engine was on fire. Driver Satpal Singh stopped the bus and told the passengers to get down.