Private School Bus Catches Fire in Velachery, No Injuries Reported
- Private school bus caught fire in Velachery on Friday morning.
- All passengers evacuated safely; no injuries reported.
- Fire department responded quickly; bus completely damaged.
- Cause suspected to be an electrical short circuit.
- Police and school administration are investigating.
Bus Catches Fire on Busy Chennai Road
A private school bus burst into flames in Velachery on Friday morning, causing panic among commuters and nearby residents. The incident occurred around 8:30 am on Velachery Main Road, near the busy Vijayanagar junction.
The bus was carrying students to a private school in the area. Witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the rear of the vehicle before flames engulfed the entire bus.
Quick Evacuation Prevents Casualties
According to police officials, the driver and a teacher on board acted swiftly. They evacuated all 25 students within minutes. No injuries were reported.
"We heard a loud noise and saw smoke. The driver immediately stopped the bus and opened the doors. We got everyone out in less than two minutes," a teacher told The New Indian Express.
Fire tenders arrived at the scene within 10 minutes and took another 20 minutes to douse the flames. By then, the bus was completely gutted.
Police Suspect Electrical Short Circuit
Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. "The bus underwent regular maintenance. We are examining the vehicle's service records," said a senior police officer.
Traffic on Velachery Main Road was disrupted for over an hour. Authorities diverted vehicles through alternate routes. The bus was towed away for forensic examination.
Parents of the students rushed to the spot after hearing about the incident. The school has since arranged alternate transport for the children.
School and Authorities Respond
The school administration has launched an internal inquiry. "We are cooperating fully with the police. The safety of our students is our top priority," a school spokesperson said.
Chennai's traffic police have urged all school buses to undergo immediate safety checks. "This incident is a wake-up call. We will conduct surprise inspections of school vehicles," a traffic police official stated.
The bus owner is expected to file a detailed report with the Regional Transport Office.
What comes next: Police are awaiting the forensic report to confirm the exact cause. The school is expected to release a statement on preventive measures in the coming days.