Date:24/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072459650500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Fire in Dilsukhnagar depot, 2 buses gutted

Staff Reporter

Welder fails to notice sparks that fell on the sponge seats

— Photo: Satish H.

CHARRED REMAINS: The buses that were destroyed in the fire at the APSRTC Dilsukhnagar depot on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: Two buses were destroyed and another partially damaged after fire broke out in APSRTC’s bus depot at Dilsukhnagar on Wednesday. None was injured in the incident.

Ten firemen from Malakpet and Gowliguda fire stations took 45 minutes to put out flames using two fire tenders.

A welder hired by the corporation was cutting a metal sheet on the rear side of a bus when sparks fell on the sponge seats leading to the fire at around 11 a.m. By the time the welder noticed the smoke, the flames spread.

Even as the depot workers tried to douse the flames with water, another bus caught fire. Meanwhile, the firemen arrived and controlled the flames, Malakpet police Inspector Iqbal Siddiqui said.

Probe ordered

The RTC officials, in a press release, stated that a two-member committee had been constituted to inquire into the incident.