Stage bus engine catches fire, all passengers safe

 

The engine compartment of a stage bus ignited today along the Central Spine Road near Kampung Lurah Bilut in Raub. – Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue Dept

RAUB: Passengers aboard a stage bus were thrown into panic when the vehicle's engine suddenly caught fire along the Central Spine Road near Kampung Lurah Bilut, forcing the driver to make an emergency stop.

All 18 passengers, as well as the bus driver, escaped unharmed in the 4.40pm incident.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Zulfadli Zakaria said seven firemen from the Raub fire station were dispatched to the scene.

"The bus' engine compartment had caught fire, but members of the public managed to douse the flames using a fire extinguisher before firemen arrived. The fire caused only minor damage to the engine.

"Firefighters inspected the entire vehicle and thoroughly extinguished the engine compartment with water to ensure no embers remained. The operation concluded at 5.24pm," he said in a statement today.

It is learnt that all passengers were later transferred to another bus to continue their journey to Raub. - NST