Bus-ted! Passengers flee fiery ride in Chachoengsao escape

A dramatic escape unfolded as passengers fled a burning bus, prompting urgent calls for help and evoking memories of a recent school bus blaze.

The incident occurred yesterday, November 6 at 3.30pm when the police in Plang Yao, Chachoengsao, were alerted to a bus fire on Road 331 near Wat Noen Rai.

Firefighters were quickly dispatched alongside local disaster prevention teams from Thung Sadao and Hua Samrong municipalities, as well as the Phanom Rescue Unit from Hua Samrong.

Upon arrival at the scene, responders found thick white smoke and sparks emanating from the engine compartment of a blue passenger bus travelling from Rayong to Nakhon Ratchasima. The passengers, visibly shaken, had evacuated the vehicle and gathered safely nearby. Firefighters managed to control the flames, preventing further spread.

Siripong, the bus driver, recounted the tense moments as he drove from Nakhon Ratchasima towards Rayong with 10 passengers onboard. Suddenly, white smoke began billowing from the bus’s rear, prompting him to stop and evacuate the passengers swiftly.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and emergency services were called immediately. Siripong noted that the bus had recently undergone a check of its four NGV gas cylinders, leaving the cause of the fire unknown, reported KhaoSod.

Sirirat, a 26 year old passenger, described the terrifying moment.

“I was shocked but managed to stay calm and quickly escape from the back of the bus. I noticed the foul smell and the white smoke and alerted the driver and other passengers to stop the bus before we all rushed off.”

Another passenger, 53 year old Somsak, mentioned seeing sparks, but fortunately, the fire did not escalate due to the prompt arrival of the police. Passengers expressed their fear and anxiety, recalling a similar tragic incident involving a school bus not long ago.

In related news, ten kindergarten students tragically lost their lives, and many others were injured, after a fire broke out on a coach during a school field trip outside Zeer Rangsit mall on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok.