18 escape death as fire guts commercial bus in Delta

No fewer than 18 passengers on a trip in an 18-seater Hiace Bus, popularly called “Uduaghan Bus,” on Monday, escaped death by the whiskers after the bus caught fire.

The loaded commercial bus, belonging to the Delta City Transport Scheme, caught fire as soon as it left Uduaghan park by PTI Junction, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, it was gathered.

The bus was said to be conveying the 18 passengers including the driver to Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area, when it suddenly caught fire from the engine.

A witness told Metro that passersby watched helplessly as the Delta State-owned inter city bus got burnt completely.

In the absence of fire fighters, local fire extinguishers, the witness said, were deployed, but could hardly put out the fire.

It was gathered that passersby first noticed smoke emitting from the moving bus and alerted the driver who immediately pulled over.

Although there was scampering for safety by the agitated passengers, they all escaped, but no so lucky with their luggage and other personal effects.

No fire service official or law enforcement agent was available for reaction.