Bus Completely Gutted by Fire During Recovery Operation After Accident
A bus involved in a serious accident near Dahod in Gujarat was completely destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon, just one day after the initial crash. The blaze is believed to have been triggered by sparks from a welding torch being used during recovery operations.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Devastating Fire
The ill-fated bus was traveling from Morbi to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh when it met with an accident in the early hours of Wednesday. According to reports, a tyre burst caused the vehicle to swerve off the Ahmedabad–Indore national highway. The bus then rolled down a slope in the hilly stretch where the accident occurred, resulting in injuries to 29 passengers.
Following the crash, recovery work commenced to retrieve the badly damaged vehicle. Sources indicate that some parts of the bus required cutting or loosening using a welding torch. It was during this operation that a spark from the welding rod is believed to have ignited the fire that ultimately consumed the entire vehicle.
Rapid Spread and Firefighting Efforts
The fire spread with alarming speed due to strong winds in the area and the presence of flammable materials within the bus interior. Fire tenders from Dahod were immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the emergency call.
Despite the prompt response from firefighters, the blaze had already taken hold of the vehicle by the time they arrived. The intense flames completely gutted the bus before fire crews could bring the situation under control. The combination of wind conditions and combustible materials created a perfect storm for the rapid destruction of the vehicle.
Safety Concerns and Investigation
This incident raises important questions about safety protocols during vehicle recovery operations, particularly when using equipment like welding torches near damaged vehicles. The complete destruction of the bus highlights how quickly such fires can escalate under certain conditions.
While the initial accident resulted in multiple injuries, fortunately no additional casualties were reported from the subsequent fire. However, the total loss of the vehicle represents significant property damage following what began as a tyre burst accident.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards present during recovery operations and the importance of implementing stringent safety measures when working with equipment that can generate sparks or heat near damaged vehicles.
