Mysuru: A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) electric bus caught fire after the rear right wheel’s brake reportedly jammed near Rangayanakoppalu in Bilikere on Saturday evening. All 16 passengers on board escaped unharmed after the driver quickly stopped the bus and evacuated them.
The incident occurred on the Mysuru-Hunsur main road at around 5.15 pm when the bus was travelling from Virajpet in Kodagu district to Mysuru via Gonikoppa and Hunsur. The fire eventually spread from the rear tyre to the battery, completely destroying the electric bus.
Brake jam leads to fire
According to the report, the bus was approaching Rangayanakoppalu in Bilikere hobli when the brake of the rear right wheel jammed.
The brake problem caused the rear tyre to heat up, following which it caught fire. Driver Ramachandraiah noticed the fire while the bus was still moving and immediately pulled over to the side of the road.
He then instructed all passengers to get off the bus. His quick response ensured that all 16 passengers were able to leave the vehicle safely before the fire intensified.
After evacuating the passengers, the driver and others informed the fire station about the incident. They also opened the engine compartment at the rear of the bus and attempted to put out the burning tyre by pouring water on it.
Fire spreads to EV battery
The initial attempt to control the fire was unsuccessful. Strong winds reportedly caused the flames to spread from the tyre towards the bus battery.
Once the battery caught fire, the flames intensified rapidly and engulfed the vehicle within a short period. The entire bus was eventually destroyed in the blaze.
The incident also presented additional challenges for the firefighting team because of the nature of the vehicle. As the fire reached the battery, vehicles travelling on the road were temporarily stopped because of concerns over the possibility of a battery-related explosion.
Two fire brigade vehicles subsequently reached the spot and brought the blaze under control. By then, however, the EV bus had been completely burnt out.
Passengers evacuated safely
Despite the intensity of the fire, there were no reports of injuries among the 16 passengers.
KSRTC officials said all passengers were subsequently shifted to another bus so that they could continue their journey safely. The incident therefore resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle but no reported casualties.
The driver’s prompt decision to stop the bus and evacuate the passengers was crucial in preventing a potentially serious incident, particularly because the fire spread rapidly after reaching the battery.
Traffic affected on Mysuru-Hunsur road
The fire also temporarily disrupted traffic on the Mysuru-Hunsur main road.
The incident took place on a narrow section of the road, making it difficult for other vehicles to pass while the bus was burning. Traffic movement was stopped temporarily as the flames continued to spread and emergency teams worked at the scene.
Once the fire brigade extinguished the fire and the immediate danger was removed, traffic movement resumed.
The incident caused a brief disruption for commuters travelling between Mysuru and Hunsur, although normal movement was restored after the firefighting operation.
KSRTC officials inspect spot
KSRTC Rural Division Divisional Controller HT Veeresh visited the spot and inspected the damaged vehicle. Bilikere Circle Inspector TM Puneeth and Sub-Inspector Naveen also visited the location and assessed the situation.
The exact technical circumstances behind the brake failure and subsequent fire may require further examination to determine whether the incident was caused solely by the brake jam or whether other mechanical or electrical factors contributed.
The incident has also drawn attention to the importance of vehicle safety checks, particularly for electric buses where a fire involving the battery can spread rapidly.
Safety of electric buses under focus
The incident comes as state transport corporations are increasingly introducing electric buses as part of efforts to modernise public transport and reduce emissions.
Electric buses use large battery packs that require specialised safety and maintenance procedures. A mechanical fault such as a jammed brake can generate significant heat, and in this case the fire reportedly spread from the heated tyre to the battery.
However, the incident itself does not establish any wider safety defect with KSRTC’s electric-bus fleet. The circumstances surrounding this particular bus will need to be examined before drawing conclusions about the cause or maintenance standards.
The safe evacuation of all passengers also highlights the importance of driver awareness and emergency response procedures when a vehicle develops a problem while carrying passengers.
Investigation into fire circumstances
The fire has completely destroyed the bus, while all passengers escaped without injury.
KSRTC officials and local police have inspected the site, and further technical assessment may help establish the precise sequence of events that led to the fire.
For commuters, the incident is a reminder of the importance of quick evacuation during vehicle fires, particularly when the source of the fire is close to a vehicle’s fuel or battery system.
The immediate priority in the incident was passenger safety, and all 16 passengers were evacuated before the flames engulfed the bus.
As authorities assess the damaged vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the brake failure, the incident is likely to draw attention to maintenance and safety protocols for KSRTC’s growing electric-bus fleet.