A private bus caught fire in Ottapalam town, Palakkad district, Kerala causing panic among passengers and bystanders. The incident took place and was captured on CCTV. It shows the bus, which was traveling on the Palakkad to Guruvayur route, suddenly bursting into flames from the lower front engine area while still in motion.
The video shows the vehicle moving along a busy semi-urban road filled with shops and signs, with a fuel station nearby.
Kerala Locals Step In With Fire Extinguishers
The CCTV footage reveals an impressive act of community responsibility. About 30 seconds into the incident, a local bystander, who was an auto driver, rushed to the scene with a fire extinguisher. Moments later, three to four more people arrived with additional extinguishers, likely from nearby shops.
The group worked together to spray extinguishers at the base of the flames, focusing on the engine area. By the one-minute mark, the visible fire was mostly under control. Police arrived shortly after to manage traffic and secure the area.
Passengers Evacuate Within Seconds
As soon as the driver noticed the fire, he stopped the bus and opened the doors. Passengers quickly exited in an orderly fashion. The visuals do not show any signs of panic or chaos. By the 50-second mark, all passengers had safely left the bus and moved away from the flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The incident has gain attention on social media for the calm evacuation, quick coordination, and selfless actions of citizens who prioritized safety over recording the event. Given the bus’s proximity to a petrol station, their swift response likely prevented a much worse disaster. Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire.
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