Bus catches fire during driving test, youth escapes unhurt

ALAPPUZHA: A youth escaped unhurt when the bus driven by him catches fire. The incident happened at the recreation ground in Alappuzha. A major tragedy was averted due to the timely intervention of the motor vehicle department and the fire force. The bus that caught fire belonged to ‘A to Z’ driving school in Pathirappally. The bus that caught fire was brought for heavy test for the first time.

The incident happened this afternoon at 12.10 pm. The youth identified as Jineesh (27) of Omanappuzha Thattamthyil was in the driver’s seat when the incident happened. After taking ‘T' in the ground test for heavy license and reaching the final stage, an explosion was heard from the engine side. Seeing smoke and fire rising from the engine, motor vehicle inspector K R Thambi, who was observing the ground test outside the vehicle, asked him to get out. Milan, the owner of the driving school, who was in the ground immediately switched off and prevented the fire from spreading to the diesel tank.

The fire broke out within three minutes after the youth got out of the bus. Two units of the fire force arrived from Alappuzha and extinguished the fire after the motor vehicle inspector informed them. The bus has been completely burnt. Initial reports said short circuit is the cause of the fire.