Fire engulfs Hyderabad-Kakinada private bus on NH-65; 36 passengers escape

Thirty-six passengers had a narrow escape after a fire broke out in a private bus travelling from Hyderabad to Kakinada in the early hours of Saturday (May 30, 2026).

According to Chityala Sub-Inspector Ravi Kumar, the incident was reported at around 1.30 a.m. near Peddakaparthi on National Highway 65, about seven kilometres from Chityala town.

The bus, operated by Rainbow Travels, had departed from Miyapur in Hyderabad and was en route to Kakinada when a suspected short circuit triggered a fire in the front portion of the vehicle.

Alerted to the danger, the passengers were evacuated safely before the flames intensified. Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the entire bus, reducing it to a charred shell.

On receiving information, personnel from the Chityala police station and the Fire Department rushed to the spot and launched firefighting operations. The blaze was eventually brought under control, preventing it from spreading further.

No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.