Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (RJP)

Beltangady, Apr 2: A moving bus belonging to KSRTC caught fire on Shiradi ghat on Saturday, April 1.

The bus was plying between Kukke Subramanya and Bengaluru. When the bus had reached 20 kilometres from Kukke Subramanya after crossing Gundya, the driver of the bus smelt like plastic was burning somewhere nearby. He suddenly stopped the bus and asked the passengers to get down.

Meanwhile, the smoke coming out from the engine was seen, which became thicker subsequently. When the driver wanted to inform the fire brigade, there was no range in his mobile. Passengers too realised that none of their mobile phones received signals. Hence no emergency help could be sought. The passengers and bus staff could only see the bus burning.

KSRTC officials and technicians from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Puttur arrived at the spot later. Technical fault and short circuit have been blamed as the cause of fire. KSRTC has taken up investigations.

It is observed that major parts of Shiradi and Charmadi ghats do not get mobile signals. This has become a big impediment in case of emergencies.

There were 30 passengers in the bus. Some clicked the photos and some took videos of the bus burning, to circulate in WhatsApp later, it is gathered.