Nearly 50 passengers narrowly escape as moving bus catches fire in Jashore

Nearly 50 passengers have faced a harrowing ordeal as a moving bus caught fire on the Dhaka-Jashore Highway, leaving many scrambling to safety before the vehicle was completely gutted.

The blaze broke out in the “Narail Express Paribahan” bus, bound for Dhaka, around 4pm in Fatehpur Daitala of Sadar Upazila.

Firefighters suspect the fire originated from a spark in the engine.

Although no casualties were reported, passengers’ belongings were destroyed, and the incident briefly brought traffic along the highway to a standstill.

Mujibur Rahman, an official at Jashore Fire Service and Civil Defence, said units from both the Jashore and Bagherpara fire stations responded immediately to the scene and managed to douse the flames.

Kotwali Police chief Masud Khan confirmed that officers assisted the fire service in controlling the blaze.

Hossain, a passenger identified by a single name, said the bus was already extensively damaged by the time firefighters arrived.

Another passenger identified only as Sukant recounted the tense moments: “After leaving Monihar bus counter in Jashore city, the engine caught fire.

“The driver stopped quickly, and all passengers rushed out in panic. We were lucky to escape before the fire spread further.”

Local residents reported that the fire caused a traffic jam lasting nearly two hours as emergency teams worked to clear the highway.

The fire service continues to investigate the exact cause but has indicated that an engine malfunction is the most likely trigger.