A major disaster was narrowly averted late at night in Rajasthan when a moving passenger sleeper bus was engulfed in flames along National Highway 62 in Bikaner district. The incident took place on the stretch between Mahajan and Lalera while most travellers on board were fast asleep. Alert action by both the driver and the commuters prevented any casualties as everyone managed to evacuate before the vehicle was reduced to ashes.
Midnight Blaze on National Highway 62
The accident occurred at around 2:00 AM when the night bus was continuing its journey towards Sri Ganganagar after departing from Jodhpur. As the vehicle crossed the Mahajan area and approached Lalera, heavy smoke began billowing from either the engine compartment or the rear section. Within mere moments, the dense smoke transformed into towering flames, causing panic among commuters and alerting drivers of other vehicles passing along the highway.
Urgent Evacuation From the Burning Coach
Most of the passengers were asleep in their berths when the fire broke out. The sudden smell of burning material and rising temperature inside the coach triggered immediate alarm. Realising the gravity of the situation, the driver brought the bus to a halt by the roadside, allowing passengers to scramble toward the exits. Travellers assisted one another in jumping out through doors and emergency window openings to reach safety away from the spreading fire.
Vehicle Reduced to a Charred Skeleton
The blaze spread with extreme ferocity, leaving no room to salvage luggage or belongings. Within minutes, the entire sleeper coach was engulfed in a massive ball of fire. By the time the flames subsided, the bus had been completely incinerated, leaving behind nothing more than a blackened metal frame. Local authorities and families expressed profound relief that every single passenger escaped without any loss of life.
