Minibus catches fire at Dufferin Road, no casualty reported

Kolkata: A mini bus caught fire on Monday afternoon on Dufferin Road. The passengers were immediately evacuated and within a minutes the fire spread all over the bus. Later, one fire tender doused the flames within half an hour. No casualty

was reported.

According to the sources, around 12 pm on Monday, a mini bus of Metiabruz-Howrah route was moving towards Howrah along Dufferin Road. Near Fort William, some passengers got a burning smell. Within minutes, some passengers noticed smoke coming out from the engine.

On seeing smoke spreading inside the bus, the passengers became panic stricken and started screaming. The driver immediately stopped the bus and asked the passengers to abandon it. Just after the passengers got down, the flames spread all over the bus standing middle of the road.

Nearby traffic police personnel rushed there. The fire brigade was also informed. One fire tender was pressed in to action and the fire was controlled within half an hour.

Vehicular movement on Dufferin Road and Mayo Road were affected and traffic congestion occurred.

Around 12:30 pm, after the fire was doused, vehicle movement commenced on Dufferin Road slowly as the bus was still there. Around 1 pm, police removed the bus from Dufferin Road and towed it to Maidan police station.

It is suspected that the fire occurred due to a mechanical glitch. Sources informed that forensic experts will examine the bus to identify the reason behind the incident.