A state-run KSRTC bus caught fire in the early hours on the Ponkunnam–Manimala road near Cheruvalli Kunnathupuzha, leaving the driver badly shaken but with all 28 passengers safely evacuated.
Kerala KSRTC bus fire: driver and conductor evacuate 28 passengers
The bus, operating a passenger excursion, had left Malappuram late on Tuesday evening and was travelling when the driver, identified as Jishad Rahman, noticed smoke and then flames at about 03:45 on Wednesday. According to accounts from officials and passengers, Jishad stopped the vehicle as soon as smoke was reported by nearby fishermen, and with conductor Bijumon he began to rouse sleeping travellers and guide them from the bus.
Both men moved quickly, instructing passengers to take all luggage and move to a safe distance. They deployed the bus’s fire suppression equipment and attempted to extinguish the blaze, but flames that began near the rear tyres had already spread into the coach and through the seating. The driver’s cabin and steering area were badly burnt.
Despite his obvious distress at seeing the bus engulfed by fire, Jishad expressed relief that all passengers were brought out safely. There were no reports of fatalities; authorities have not yet confirmed the number or extent of any injuries. Local residents and fishermen, who first noticed smoke, alerted emergency services and assisted at the scene.
KSRTC vigilance teams and senior mechanical engineering officers from the Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Ponkunnam depots, along with general inspectors, attended the scene to inspect the vehicle. Preliminary assessments indicate the fire may have started from a problem with a brake liner or from a short circuit, though investigations are ongoing.
Officials said the quick actions of the driver and conductor were crucial in preventing loss of life. They evacuated passengers, secured luggage and attempted to control the fire with onboard extinguishers while keeping passengers at a safe distance. Eyewitnesses reported that the flames spread through the interior and seating before external responders arrived.
KSRTC has launched an internal inquiry and the vigilance wing is coordinating with mechanical engineering teams to determine the exact cause. Inspectors are reviewing maintenance records, mechanical logs and witness statements. If the preliminary theories are confirmed, they could prompt a review of routine checks on brake systems and the bus’s electrical installations across depots.
The incident highlights the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and the readiness of staff to respond to emergencies. Passenger safety drills, working fire-suppression equipment and prompt action by crew members helped ensure that the outcome was not worse. KSRTC said it would provide assistance to affected passengers and pursue a detailed technical investigation.
Further updates will follow as the investigation concludes and authorities release more detailed findings.
Key Takeaways:
- Early-morning Kerala KSRTC bus fire on Ponkunnam–Manimala road forced the evacuation of 28 passengers.
- The driver and conductor used firefighting equipment and helped remove luggage before flames spread.
- Officials suspect a brake liner failure or an electrical short as the probable cause.
- Kerala KSRTC vigilance and depot engineering teams inspected the vehicle following the incident.
