Noida: A bus parked on the side of the road in Greater Noida’s Tugalpur village caught on fire Friday night, leaving the vehicle completely gutted. The bus was empty, and there was no person inside when the blaze broke out. A fire services team rushed to the spot on receiving information and deployed three fire tenders to bring it under control. Fire officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.According to fire officials, passersby reported the incident around 11.30pm when they first noticed smoke coming out of the vehicle. It soon became engulfed in flames. Firefighters and police reached the spot, with three fire units working to control the blaze, which was doused within 30 minutes.A preliminary investigation showed the bus, bearing registration number HR55AH1291, belonged to Aryan Residency hostel and was routinely parked along the main road near the hostel premises. The bus was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Police said they are in contact with the bus’ owner and are trying to establish how the fire started.A preliminary assessment suggested that a discarded burning cigarette or bidi could have potentially caused the fire. Officials are examining the possibility that a passerby may have thrown a lit cigarette or bidi near the parked vehicle, which could have subsequently led to the fire. However, the cause has not yet been confirmed.Fire officials said the exact cause would be established only after a detailed investigation. Police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and will take necessary legal action based on the findings.The incident comes just days after a major bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, where nine passengers were killed.
