Cleaner charred to death as bus catches fire in Kumily

THODUPUZHA: One person died after a halted private bus caught fire in Kumily. The dead has been identified as Rajan, a native of Uppukulam. He was the cleaner of the bus and was sleeping in it when the incident happened. Reports say the bus halted near the petrol pump caught fire early Monday morning at 2 am.

Initial reports say short circuit is the reason for the incident. A detailed investigation will be conducted. The bus was operating service on Kumily-Kottayam route. The bus was stationed near the Kumily petrol pump after service. As usual Rajan was sleeping in the bus.

Everybody thought Rajan had gone home. Noticing the fire spreading, employees of other buses came rushing to douse the flames. On being informed, fire force reached the spot and were able to extinguish the fire only after a great effort. It was during this time they came to know that Rajan was inside the bus.

The body of Rajan has been shifted to a hospital nearby. A major tragedy was averted as the fire did not spread to the petrol pump nearby.