Hyderabad:
Nearly 50 students of a private school in Hyderabad had a narrow escape today after the school bus in which they were travelling accidentally caught fire.
The children were headed for Sputnika International School when they noticed a spark in the rear of the bus while traveling through Hayathnagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad this morning.
The fire is believed to have been caused due to a short circuit in the internal wiring of the fairly new vehicle.
The bus was completely gutted in the accident. No one was however injured as all children were off-loaded from the vehicle on time.
"The fire broke out when uncle switched on the light and then switched it off. We all shouted, the bus stopped and we got off. But I got hurt in the rush and cried,'' said one of the children travelling on the bus.
Hayathnagar Inspector G. Srinivas Kumar said the bus was coming from Pochampally.
The exact cause of the fire is still being ascertained. The police are also trying to find out if the bus had mandatory clearances and fitness certificate.