Gayaji: A major fire broke out at a private bus stand in Gayaji, Bihar, in the early hours of Tuesday, reducing four buses to ashes and narrowly avoiding a much larger disaster due to the proximity of a petrol pump.
The incident occurred around 1.30am at the Maharani Company’s bus depot near Gandhi Maidan under Civil Lines police station. While no casualties were reported, the blaze caused property losses estimated at around Rs 1 crore.
“There was chaos at the bus stand. We were alerted about a bus catching fire, and within moments, several more were engulfed,” said Ajay Kumar, manager of Maharani Company. “The fire brigade was informed immediately, and after 90 minutes of efforts, the flames were brought under control.”
While the exact cause remains under investigation, initial speculations range from a discarded cigarette to an electrical short circuit or dry bush fire. Fire Officer Devendra Verma stated that the full extent and cause of the blaze would be confirmed only after a detailed probe.
What heightened concerns was the presence of a petrol pump right next to the site. “It was sheer luck that the fire didn’t reach the pump. That could have led to a catastrophic explosion,” said one official.
The buses had arrived from various cities, including Kolkata, and had been parked after passenger drop-offs. A petrol pump employee is credited with alerting the fire department promptly, potentially preventing a major tragedy.
