As many as 40 students had a providential escape when the school bus in which they were travelling caught fire at Undrajavaram on its way to Tanuku in West Godavari district on Monday.
The bus driver reportedly saw smoke emanating from the engine and asked the students to get down. The panic-stricken children alighted from the bus leaving their school bags behind. In no time, the bus caught fire and was completely damaged. The bus was going to drop the students at Sasi Public School at Tanuku after picking them from Undrajavaram. Sitapati Rao, Motor Vehicle Inspector said he would submit a report on the fitness of the vehicle. By the time personnel from the Department of Fire Services reached the spot, the bus was damaged completely.
The parents profusely thanked the bus driver for his alertness.