Panic as commercial bus catches fire in Anambra

At least 14 passengers narrowly avoided a tragic fate while the bus driver suffered minor injuries when a fire broke out in their vehicle along the Old Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Sources indicate that the incident occurred on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and significant traffic delays as bystanders and firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.

The bus, a Toyota Hiace, was reportedly en route to Asaba, Delta State, when it suddenly ignited in the middle of the bridge.

An eyewitness, a local trader named Obiora Uzor, recounted how the passengers managed to escape one by one before the fire consumed the entire bus. Although no lives were lost, the driver was affected by the flames, which originated from the front of the vehicle.

“The bus erupted in flames while moving, triggering chaos on the bridge as passengers scrambled to get out. The cause of the fire remains unknown,” Uzor said. “It caused a major traffic jam in both directions as motorists and pedestrians tried to put out the fire until firefighters arrived to take over.”

The Anambra State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement released on Thursday.

The statement noted, “On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 9:30 AM, we received an emergency call regarding a bus engulfed in flames at the top of the Bridge-head in Onitsha. A team of firefighters and equipment was dispatched, and they successfully extinguished the fire, preventing it from impacting other vehicles on the bridge.”

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The public has been urged to report fires promptly and to equip their vehicles with fire extinguishers, emphasizing the importance of fire safety.

Firefighters concluded their operation in the afternoon.

Our correspondent observed on Thursday evening that the bus, charred beyond recognition, remained at the site of the incident but had been moved to the side of the bridge to avoid obstructing traffic.