Karimnagar RTC Electric Bus Catches Fire Near Algunur
KARIMNAGAR: An Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) electric bus travelling from Karimnagar to Hyderabad was gutted in a fire after a suspected short circuit on Rajiv Rahadari near Algunur in Karimnagar district on Sunday. The alertness of the driver helped avert a major tragedy.
The electric bus (TG 02T1138) belonging to the Karimnagar-2 depot left the Karimnagar bus station at 8 am with 40 passengers, including two children. At about 8.20 am, after crossing the Kakatiya Canal near Algunur, flames erupted from the battery compartment.
Driver evacuates passengers in time
Driver Prashanth noticed the fire and immediately stopped the bus on the roadside. He opened the regular and emergency exits and evacuated all passengers.
He then attempted to douse the flames using the fire extinguishers available on the bus. However, the fire spread rapidly and went out of control.
Bus destroyed within five minutes
The flames engulfed the vehicle and the bus was completely gutted within five minutes. Fire and Emergency Services personnel reached the spot and brought the blaze under control.
No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
Officials inspect accident site
RTC Executive Director R. Venkanna, Karimnagar Zone Executive Director P. Solomon, Karimnagar Regional Manager B. Raju, Transport Department Joint Commissioner Chandrasekhar Goud and District Transport Commissioner Ravinder inspected the accident site.
The officials commended driver Prashanth for his timely response and announced a cash incentive of ₹5,000.
LMD police station Circle Inspector Ramesh and Sub-Inspector Anwar took measures to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent disruption on the highway.
