Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 3: A fire broke out in an empty BEST bus at the Kurla bus depot in suburban Mumbai on Sunday, officials said, adding that no injuries were reported in the incident.

According to preliminary information, the fire was reported at around 4.14 pm at the depot located near the Kanakia Building in Kurla West. The blaze is suspected to have started while the bus was undergoing servicing within the depot premises.

On receiving the alert, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) rushed to the spot and initiated firefighting operations. The incident was later classified as a Level I fire at around 4.28 pm. The fire was brought under control, officials confirmed, while further details are awaited.

In a similar incident in April, a parked BEST electric bus in Bhandup West rolled backwards and rammed into a food stall near Bhandup railway station, triggering panic in the area.

Eyewitnesses said the driverless bus began moving in reverse before crashing into the stall. A woman standing nearby narrowly escaped injury after being pulled away to safety moments before impact. No injuries were reported in that incident.

The episode also revived memories of a fatal mishap in December 2025 near the same location, when a BEST bus mounted a footpath, killing four persons and injuring several others.

Residents have since voiced concerns over the safety of parked and operational buses in crowded areas, citing the risks posed by heavy vehicle movement in densely populated localities.