Volvo Bus Catches Fire on Pune-Satara Highway; Passengers Evacuate Safely
Khed Shivapur, 17th April 2025: A Volvo bus operated by Konduskar Travels caught fire near Velu village in Bhor taluka on the Pune-Satara Highway around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. Thanks to the quick action of the driver, who steered the bus to the roadside and facilitated the evacuation, all passengers escaped unharmed.
The bus was en route from Kolhapur to Pune when smoke was first noticed emanating from the engine compartment. Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the vehicle. Fire tenders from the WOM Company were dispatched, but the blaze, intensified by intermittent explosions, proved difficult to control. By the time firefighters managed to douse the flames, the bus was completely gutted.
Although there were no injuries or casualties, passengers lost all personal belongings, resulting in significant financial losses. Preliminary reports suggest an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the exact cause remains under investigation by police.
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The incident caused a brief disruption in traffic on the busy highway. It has also reignited public demand for a dedicated fire station in the Khed-Shivapur area. Locals pointed out that this region has witnessed several major fire-related incidents over the years, underscoring the urgent need for better fire response infrastructure.
