Alert Driver Saves 37 Passengers as KSRTC Bus Catches Fire in Kadaba

A major tragedy was averted in Kadaba taluk late on Saturday night after a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus caught fire while en route from Subrahmanya to Bengaluru. The incident occurred on the Kaikamba-Gundya road at Erumail in Bilinele village. As the night service bus was traversing the route, the alert driver noticed thick smoke and sparks suddenly emanating from the front section of the vehicle. Demonstrating quick thinking and presence of mind, he immediately pulled the bus over to the side of the road, brought it to a halt, and alerted all 37 passengers on board to evacuate without delay. All 37 passengers managed to alight safely before the flames engulfed the entire vehicle. Within minutes of the evacuation, the fire spread rapidly throughout the bus, leaving it completely gutted. Upon receiving information from local residents and bus crew, firefighters and personnel from the Kadaba police station arrived at the spot to douse the flames and manage traffic flow. Preliminary investigations suspect that an electrical short circuit inside the engine compartment triggered the fire. Local residents and commuting public praised the driver's prompt response, which prevented any injuries or casualties on the crucial highway route connecting Kadaba to major commercial hubs.