In a heartbreaking incident in Delhi’s Vikas Puri area, a parked bus turned into an inferno early Monday morning, claiming the life of its helper, Sunil, aged 25. The young man was reportedly asleep inside the vehicle when the fire broke out, leaving him trapped in the blaze.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as thick black smoke billowed from the bus, followed by raging flames that engulfed the entire vehicle. Local residents quickly alerted the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), who dispatched multiple fire tenders to the spot. Despite their valiant efforts, the fire’s intensity proved overwhelming initially, and it took considerable time to bring it under control.
Preliminary investigations point to a tragic mishap: Sunil had lit an incense stick inside the bus to ward off mosquitoes. Authorities suspect this sparked the fire, which rapidly spread due to the confined space and flammable materials. The bus, a private Haryana-registered vehicle just 28 days old, was completely gutted by the time firefighters doused the flames.
Firefighters discovered Sunil’s charred remains inside the bus after extinguishing the blaze. His body was sent for post-mortem as police launched a probe to ascertain the exact cause. While the incense stick theory holds strong, officials are also examining possibilities like electrical short-circuits or fuel-related issues.
This tragedy underscores the dangers of using open flames in enclosed spaces, especially vehicles. Social media videos circulating online capture the bus fully ablaze, flames leaping high into the night sky, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly disasters can unfold.
Recent fire incidents in the capital add to the grim tally. Just days ago on February 6, a fire erupted at an NDMC-managed ground near Safdarjung Airport. More devastating was the January 7 blaze in northwest Delhi’s Mukundpur, where a DMRC employee, his wife, and their 9-year-old daughter perished in their allotted flat.
As Delhi grapples with these recurring fire hazards, authorities urge greater vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to prevent such losses.