A massive fire erupted in a BEST bus on LBS Road near the Gandhi Nagar bridge in Ghatkopar area around 1:24 pm on Monday. Dramatic footage from witnesses captured thick smoke and flames engulfing the vehicle, which prompted a swift response from the fire brigade.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, although the bus was completely destroyed by the flames. Bus was empty. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, said on official, adding that the incident disrupted traffic on LBS Road.
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Fire that completely destroyed a BEST bus, no injuries reported | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
Fire that completely destroyed a BEST bus, no injuries reported | FPJ/ Vijay Gohil
According to BEST, the bus, part of Route 303 that operates between Bandra station (East) and Mulund station (West), had just completed a short trip to Gandhi Nagar. After emptying passengers, the driver, Sanjay Bagwaan Suryavanshi, 54, noticed black smoke coming from the engine as he made a right U-turn to head back to Bandra. He immediately pulled the bus aside, but flames erupted shortly thereafter.
Fire fighters dousing the fire | FPJ
The wrecked condition of the bEST bus after catching fire | FPJ
Fire fighters dousing the fire | FPJ
"The fire was reported to Traffic Police at 1:24 pm and was extinguished by approximately 2:10 pm. The on-duty conductor, Aajith Ramesh Sarate, 25, sustained minor burn injuries but was otherwise unharmed" said an official.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. This incident is particularly concerning as it follows a series of similar events last year, which resulted in 400 CNG buses supplied by the Mateshwari group being temporarily removed from service. Those buses were later reintroduced after undergoing safety checks and receiving certification from company experts.
