30 passengers escape bus fire….traders weep as merchandise is reduced to ashes

THIRTY people escaped unhurt on Tuesday after a Lusaka-bound bus on which they were travelling burst into flames on the Mongu-Lusaka road.

 

The incident, involving a Red Bomber Transport bus, happened near Kaungeta around 18:00 hours.
According to one of the passengers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the fire started from the dashboard of the bus.

 

She narrated that the passengers requested the driver to stop the bus after noticing smoke coming out from the dashboard.
“Actually, we thought one of the passengers was smoking on the bus. But when the smell became worse, we realised that it was more than smoking.

 

“We are lucky to be alive and I am sure it could have been something else if we were more than 30, as everyone could have panicked to get access to the door,” she said.

 

A check at the accident scene found the Marcopolo Scania bus registration number ABT 9254 in flames while traders who were transporting fish and other goods wept as they watched their merchandise reduce to ashes.