A Rourkela-Paradip private bus named Shreema caught fire near Khmar on Sunday, leaving passengers in shock but sparing lives.
The blaze erupted suddenly and spread rapidly, engulfing the entire vehicle within minutes. Passengers and staff rushed out in time, avoiding fatalities or serious injuries. The bus, however, burned completely, causing heavy financial loss to the operator.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos as flames consumed the vehicle. Locals expressed anger over the delayed emergency response. They claimed fire services and ambulances failed to arrive promptly, raising questions about the efficiency of disaster management. Later, fire teams reached the spot and brought the situation under control.
