A Rajasthan Roadways double-decker AC bus was engulfed in flames on its way to Haridwar on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. The fire caused thick black smoke visible from a distance of about two kilometers. Fortunately, all 26 passengers aboard managed to escape unharmed.
Passengers on the bus evacuated through emergency exits and windows once the bus stopped. However, amidst the chaos, belongings worth several lakhs of rupees, including luggage and clothing stored in the compartment, were lost in the fire. The bus, driven by Rajendra Kumar from Jaipur, had departed for Haridwar with conductor Ramkumar Hooda from Sikar.
As the bus neared the Meerut–Muzaffarnagar border around 7:10 a.m., a short circuit in the rear air-conditioning unit’s wiring led to smoke filling the cabin. A motorcyclist behind the bus noticed the fire and alerted the driver, who promptly pulled over. Passengers were evacuated quickly, with some using emergency windows to exit.
The driver and conductor attempted to salvage passengers’ luggage but were only able to retrieve a few bags before flames engulfed the bus. The fire brought traffic to a halt on the highway. Firefighters from Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts battled the blaze for over two hours before fully extinguishing it. The stranded passengers were provided with refreshments and safely transported to Haridwar to continue their journey.
