Dharashiv, Maharashtra (February 14, 2025): A Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus traveling from Basavakalyan to Tuljapur caught fire Friday morning near the gate of Lokmangal Sugar Factory in Lohara taluka, Dharashiv district. All 70 passengers onboard escaped unharmed due to the driver's quick response.
The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. when the Tuljapur Depot bus, which had departed from Basavakalyan at 6 a.m., stopped to pick up and drop off passengers. As soon as driver started the vehicle, he noticed smoke emerging from the cabin. Without delay, he instructed all passengers to get off. Moments later, flames engulfed the cabin. Panic spread among the passengers as they rushed to exit the bus. Some even jumped out of the windows. Despite the chaos, everyone made it out safely.
The fire brigade of Lokmangal Sugar Factory arrived quickly and brought the flames under control. A replacement bus transported the passengers to Tuljapur.