Delhi: Cluster bus catches fire in Jagatpuri, no casualties

A low-floor cluster bus carrying around 50 passengers was completely destroyed after catching fire in east Delhi’s Jagatpuri area on Thursday, officials reported. Fortunately, no passengers were injured.

The Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS), responsible for monitoring and managing cluster buses, confirmed the incident. Transport department officials stated that an inquiry has been ordered, and the bus will be examined by the manufacturer to determine the cause of the fire.

An official expressed concern, noting that the bus was only four-and-a-half years old. “It is alarming that a relatively new bus caught fire. The fire started from the back of the bus, and despite the driver and conductor’s efforts to extinguish it, the flames spread,” the official added.

Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Station Officer Anoop Singh said that a call about the fire was received around 9:40 am, and three fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit in the bus’s air conditioning system.

Police reported that the bus was on route 340, from Central Secretariat to Seemapuri. They also identified a possible short-circuit in the AC system as the likely cause of the fire.

Eyewitness Surender Bhola recounted that a biker noticed smoke coming from the bus engine and alerted the driver, who immediately stopped the bus and instructed the passengers to evacuate.

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The incident led to a significant traffic jam at the Jagatpuri crossing, disrupting the commute for others. Traffic police eventually managed to regulate the flow, according to the DFS officer.

City government data revealed that 30 buses have caught fire in Delhi over the past eight years, including four incidents in 2023. Last year, the government informed the Delhi Assembly that short-circuits were the most common cause of bus fires, particularly in vehicles around 12 years old.

Over the years, the transport department has formed various committees to investigate the causes of these fires. The recurring issues identified include short-circuits, engine overheating, and technical problems flagged by drivers. (With inputs from PTI)