Four buses belonging to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which were parked at the depot here, were gutted in a fire in the early hours of Tuesday.
The fire was discovered by a security guard at 2.45 a.m., Divisional Superintendent Jayaramulu told The Hindu. There were no casualties, but the buses had been damaged extensively, he said.
Mr. Jayaramulu added that the police did not suspect foul play. He could not confirm the exact cause of the fire until a full inquiry was conducted, he said.
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As soon as the fire was reported, members of the KSRTC staff alerted the Fire and Emergency Services who arrived two vehicles in 15 minutes to douse the fire, he said.
0Meanwhile, the staff had done their best to prevent the fire from spreading, he said. “Three buses were heavily damaged, and one only partially,” he said.
Mr. Jayaramulu said though the fuel tanks were full, and it was fortunate the tanks did not catch fire. “Otherwise, the destruction would have been massive,” he said.
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A head mechanic reportedly told Superintendent of Police Labhu Ram that the engines and tyres of the four buses were in good condition.
The officials said that a departmental inquiry had been be ordered to ascertain the cause of the fire.
The Chitradurga Town police station has registered a case.