Tragic Early Morning Blaze on Kisan Path; Short Circuit Suspected
Lucknow, May 15 — A devastating fire engulfed a private bus on the outskirts of Lucknow early Thursday morning, leaving five people dead, including two children, and several others injured.The incident occurred around 5 am on Kisan Path in the Mohanlalganj area. The bus, carrying approximately 80 passengers, was traveling from Begusarai in Bihar to Delhi when it suddenly caught fire.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mohanlalganj) Rajneesh Verma, a short circuit in the vehicle's gearbox is believed to be the initial cause of the blaze. "Most passengers were asleep when the fire started, which contributed to the fatalities," Verma said.
Among the deceased were two women, two children, and a man, all of whom were reportedly trapped inside the bus when the fire spread rapidly. Several passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene, saying the flames were visible from nearly a kilometre away. Disturbingly, the bus continued moving for a while after the fire broke out, delaying evacuation efforts. Rescue teams arrived swiftly and managed to douse the flames within 30 minutes.
Investigations also revealed that the bus's emergency exit door malfunctioned, leaving those seated at the rear unable to escape in time.
Authorities have initiated a detailed probe to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess any lapses in safety protocols.
