A mini bus proceeding to Patteswaram from Kumbakonam via Swamimalai suddenly caught fire on the Cauvery river bridge on Friday.
According to police, the incident took place around noon on Friday when the mini bus proceeding to Patteswaram halted on the bridge to pick up some passengers.
Suddenly, thick black smoke emanated from one side of the bus and the unbearable heat forced the few passengers in the vehicle to rush out.
As soon as the passengers and the bus crew alighted from the vehicle, flames engulfed the bus.
Fire and Rescue Service personnel rushed in and doused flame in about half-an-hour.
Bus driver Sakthivel of Kattur and conductor Ravi of Koogur were taken to the Swamimalai police station for interrogation, police added.
Narrow escape
Meanwhile, a little over dozen passengers travelling in a TNSTC bus proceeding to Kumbakonam from Tiruchi had a miraculous escape as the bus hopped on to the median near Valambakudi on Friday.
According to police the mishap took place around 2 a.m. and none of the passengers nor the bus crew sustained any injuries.
Later, the passengers were transported to their respective destinations in a spare bus brought from the Thanjavur depot, police said.