Sleeper coach catches fire after hitting vehicle in Cumilla

A sleeper coach of Royal Cox Transport was completely gutted by fire after hitting a vehicle on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Eliotganj of Daudkandi, Cumilla, early Monday.

The incident occurred around 4:30am near the Reliable CNG Filling Station. No casualties were reported.

Police and witnesses said the bus, travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka, hit a vehicle in the Eliotganj area, damaging its front section. A fire reportedly started from the bus’s gas cylinder and quickly spread throughout the vehicle.

Passengers managed to get off the bus and move to safety before it was completely engulfed in flames.

Local resident Billal Hossain Molla said residents rushed to the scene after seeing the fire and confirmed that all passengers had escaped safely.

Another witness, Saddam Hossain, said the fire spread across the bus within moments, although all passengers were able to get out.

SI Md Faruk Islam of Eliotganj Highway Police Station said the fire broke out after the sleeper coach hit another vehicle. Police reached the scene and moved the passengers to safety.

The driver and other staff left the scene after the accident, he said. The damaged bus was taken into police custody.

Traffic on the highway is currently normal, police said.

SKS