18 passengers escape as KSRTC electric bus catches fire near Mysuru

Eighteen passengers had a narrow escape after an electric bus operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) caught fire near Bilikere, about 20 km from Mysuru, on Saturday evening. The bus was destroyed in the blaze.The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. when the bus was travelling to Bengaluru from Virajpet.KSRTC Divisional Controller (Mysuru Rural Division) Veeresh H.T. said the driver noticed flames coming from one of the tyres after the brakes jammed and immediately stopped the bus on the roadside. The passengers were evacuated safely.Though the bus crew reportedly tried to douse the fire using fire extinguishers, the flames soon spread, following which fire and emergency personnel were summoned. They brought the fire under control after a while.The electric bus be