A Gwalior-Indore sleeper bus caught fire near Panihar railway station on the Agra-Mumbai Highway late Sunday night. All 45 passengers were evacuated safely before the blaze engulfed the vehicle.

Sleeper Bus Catches Fire on Highway

A major accident was averted late Sunday night after a sleeper video coach bus travelling from Gwalior to Indore caught fire on the Agra-Mumbai National Highway near Panihar railway station in Gwalior district. Around 45 passengers were on board when the incident occurred, but all were rescued safely before the flames spread through the vehicle.

The bus had left Gwalior at around 10 pm and was headed towards Indore when the fire broke out roughly an hour into the journey.

Smoke Seen Near Engine

According to local police, the bus, bearing registration number MP 09 FA-9349, was passing through the Panihar area at around 11 pm when smoke was first noticed emerging from the engine and rear section of the vehicle.

Within minutes, thick smoke entered the passenger compartment and flames began rising from the back portion of the bus. The situation quickly triggered panic among passengers, many of whom were asleep at the time.

Quick Response Prevents Tragedy

Bus staff acted swiftly after noticing the fire. The driver immediately pulled the vehicle to the roadside, while the cleaner and other staff members began evacuating passengers.

As the fire intensified, a rush developed near the main exit door. Some passengers reportedly broke window panes and climbed out to avoid being trapped inside. Passersby and local residents also assisted in moving passengers away from the burning bus.

Officials said the evacuation was completed within minutes, preventing any casualties despite the rapid spread of the fire.

Police, Fire Teams Reach Spot

After receiving information about the incident, Panihar police reached the location and temporarily halted traffic movement on a section of the highway to ensure safety and facilitate firefighting operations.

Fire brigade personnel were then deployed to control the blaze. The flames had engulfed a significant portion of the bus by the time emergency teams arrived. Firefighters worked for some time before bringing the situation under control.

Visuals from the scene showed the bus engulfed in flames, with smoke visible from a considerable distance on the highway.

Short Circuit Suspected

Initial findings suggest that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire. However, authorities have said the exact cause can only be confirmed after a detailed technical inspection.

Officials are also assessing the extent of damage to passengers' belongings and the vehicle itself. The bus sustained substantial damage in the incident.

Investigation Underway

Police and fire department officials have launched an inquiry into the incident. The condition of the bus, maintenance records and electrical systems are expected to be examined as part of the investigation.

Such incidents have once again raised concerns over vehicle safety standards and regular inspections of long-distance passenger buses operating on major highways.

For now, authorities have confirmed that all passengers escaped unharmed, making the timely evacuation the most significant outcome of what could have turned into a serious tragedy on the Agra-Mumbai Highway.