Double-Decker Bus Catches Fire, 70 Passengers Evacuated on Expressway
Double-decker sleeper bus erupts near Revri toll plaza.
A double-decker sleeper bus carrying 70 passengers from Delhi to Gonda via Lucknow became a raging inferno early Sunday just 500 meters past Revri toll plaza on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Flames started in the rear wheel and swept through the lower deck within minutes, filling upper berths with thick smoke. Every traveler escaped unharmed as the driver and conductor executed a frantic evacuation on the roadside.
Panic erupted inside the moving coach around 3:15 AM when a spark flashed beneath the chassis. The fire raced along the undercarriage, melting tires and igniting interior panels. Upper-level passengers woke to shouts and choking fumes. Families with infants, elderly travelers, and college groups scrambled down narrow stairs while heat scorched the metal floor. The crew halted the vehicle on the emergency lane, opened all exits, and guided passengers to safety in under two minutes.
Police and three fire engines arrived within 10 minutes and battled the blaze for nearly an hour. The expressway filled with black smoke as morning traffic slowed. Crews removed the charred shell by 7:30 AM, restoring normal flow. No secondary crashes occurred despite heavy holiday traffic. The bus operator dispatched a replacement coach, and all 70 passengers reached Gonda by early afternoon.
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Forensic teams sealed the wreckage for analysis. Initial reports suggest overheated wheel bearings or a brake fault triggered the fire. The 2022-model bus had passed a fitness check three months ago. Authorities suspended its permit and ordered fleet-wide inspections. This marks the 13th bus fire on Uttar Pradesh highways in 2025, prompting calls for mandatory fire-suppression systems and real-time monitoring.
Passenger videos of the burning coach have gone viral under #ExpresswayEscape. Survivors lost luggage and gifts but expressed relief at reaching safety. Safety groups plan protests for stricter regulations. The incident highlights ongoing risks in long-haul sleeper travel and the urgent need for upgraded maintenance standards.
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