Jumped out, moments later bus burst into flames: Survivor recounts horror

Four died in the accident; five sustained injuries, including two with severe burns

- Vicky Pathare

PUNE: All employees of Vyoma Graphics who were in the ill-fated minibus that caught fire in Hinjewadi on Wednesday morning were on their way to work when the tragedy struck. Four died in the accident, while five sustained injuries, two of them with severe burns, police said. Survivors recount their escape.

Fire spread rapidly
"I managed to jump out through the window to save my life. Just moments later, the entire vehicle was in flames," said Pradip Raut, a survivor, describing how quickly the fire engulfed the bus.

Another survivor requesting anonymity said, "I didn't think the flames would spread so fast. Fortunately, I survived by jumping out of the vehicle."

According to the survivor, those who were in the front seats acted swiftly and evacuated.

"I was sitting in the front seat when I first noticed smoke. Within seconds, flames started spreading inside. The driver was the first to jump out, and I followed him through the front door. Two of my colleagues managed to escape as well. A couple of others broke the window and jumped out," the survivor recalled.

According to the police, the fire broke out around 7:30 am while 14 employees, and the driver, were traveling in the minibus. "Prima facie, an electric short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire. Four employees were unable to escape and died in the incident, while six sustained serious burn injuries. Four others managed to get out safely," said an officer from the Hinjewadi police station.

The deceased have been identified as Shankar Shinde (60), Raju Chavan (40), Gurudas Lokhare (40), and Subhash Bhosale (42). They worked as a supervisor, printing machine operator, courier person and paper-cutting operator, respectively, the police said.

A colleague of the victims said, "The entire team was on duty for the first shift and was on the way to work when this tragedy happened. We have lost four colleagues, and six others are injured."