Ahmedabad: A major accident was averted on SG Road on Sunday when an AMTS bus carrying several passengers caught fire near the Sola Bhagwat crossroads. Panic gripped commuters as flames and smoke erupted from the front of the bus, forcing passengers to jump out to save their lives.The incident occurred when AMTS Route 501 bus, operating from Adalaj Trimandir to Sarkhej Ujala, passed through the busy junction with nearly 50 passengers inside. Officials of Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) said smoke was first noticed emerging from the engine bonnet near the driver’s cabin. Sensing the danger, the driver promptly stopped the bus on the roadside and instructed passengers to exit through the rear door.
All passengers managed to alight safely within minutes. The conductor immediately alerted police and fire services by dialling the emergency helpline 112, while the driver switched off the main power supply before stepping out. Soon after, flames engulfed the engine area and the front portion of the bus.Two fire tenders were sent to the spot to douse the blaze. Fire officials said the driver’s cabin, engine compartment, six seats, and parts of the floor and ceiling were damaged in the incident. No casualties or injuries were reported. Traffic on SG Road was briefly disrupted during firefighting operations. The exact cause of the fire is suspected to be a mechanical fault and is under investigation.
