A private bus travelling from Mangaluru to Bengaluru caught fire near Shantigrama in Hassan taluk in the early hours of Saturday, gutting more than 70% of the vehicle. All 36 passengers on board escaped unhurt, though many lost their belongings in the blaze.

The driver noticed the flames around 2.50 a.m. and promptly pulled over, ensuring all passengers disembarked safely before the fire spread and engulfed the bus.

Local residents alerted the police and Fire and Emergency Services. Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control, but not before the vehicle was largely destroyed. Naveen Kumar, District Fire Officer, told The Hindu that the station received the distress call at 3 a.m. and a fire tender was dispatched within minutes.

The driver said the fire broke out shortly after a tyre burst. Fire Department staff said a short circuit caused by battery overheating could also have been a contributing factor, and the exact cause is being investigated.