Jamshedpur: Panic gripped the Shankosai Road No. 1 area, under the jurisdiction of the Ulidih Police Station, early Monday morning—around 3:00 AM—when a sudden fire broke out in three parked buses. Upon seeing fierce flames rising, residents in the vicinity rushed out of their homes in alarm and attempted to extinguish the fire on their own; however, due to the rapid spread of the blaze, they were unable to bring the situation under control. Subsequently, the incident was reported to the police and the fire department.
Upon receiving the information, a team from the fire department arrived at the scene and, after a strenuous effort, managed to bring the fire under control. By that time, however, two of the buses had been completely reduced to ashes, while the fire brigade managed to save the third bus from extensive damage. The third bus sustained only partial damage. Throughout the incident, an atmosphere of chaos prevailed in the area, and residents remained in a state of panic for a considerable time.
The intensity of the fire can be gauged from the fact that the main power lines running directly above the buses were also engulfed by the flames. The fire caused the electrical cables to burn through, resulting in power outages across several neighboring localities. Subsequently, a team from the electricity department was also summoned to the scene.
Ulidih Police Station In-charge, MD Shaukat Ali, stated that an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. The police are scrutinizing footage from CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity. Preliminary investigations have not ruled out the possibility of arson. The police are also examining the case from the angle of a potential conspiracy. Officials have stated that those responsible for the incident will be identified, and swift action will be taken against them.
