Private Sleeper Bus Catches Fire Near Hosanagara, Three Injured

A private sleeper bus travelling from Hosanagara to Bengaluru caught fire late on Tuesday night near Sudur village in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district, leaving three people, including the driver and conductor, with burn injuries. Several other passengers sustained minor injuries while escaping from the vehicle, officials said.

The incident occurred around 10.30 pm on January 27, 2026, when the non-air-conditioned sleeper bus, operated by Sri Annapurneshwari Travels, was carrying 36 passengers towards Bengaluru. As the bus approached Sudur, smoke was noticed emerging from the driver’s cabin, triggering panic inside the vehicle.

According to police, the driver attempted to stop the bus immediately after spotting the smoke. However, in the ensuing confusion, the vehicle veered off the road and hit a tree before coming to a halt. Passengers, who were not asleep at the time, acted swiftly by opening the windows and using the emergency exit to jump out of the bus.

Within minutes of the passengers deboarding, the bus was engulfed in flames and was completely gutted. Fire spread rapidly, leaving no opportunity to salvage luggage or personal belongings kept inside the vehicle.

Three people, the driver, the conductor, and one more individual sustained burn injuries, while a few other passengers suffered bruises and minor injuries while jumping out of the bus in panic. All the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals and are currently undergoing treatment. Doctors said their condition is stable.

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Shivamogga Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil said that the bus being non-air-conditioned played a crucial role in preventing a major tragedy. “Since it was a non-AC bus, passengers were able to open the windows and escape quickly. Three people suffered burn injuries, and a few others sustained minor injuries while getting down in a hurry,” he said.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving the alert and managed to douse the flames. However, the bus had already been destroyed by the fire. Traffic on the road was temporarily disrupted during emergency operations.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have originated due to an electrical short circuit or engine-related issue, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed. Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation to ascertain whether there were any lapses in vehicle maintenance or safety compliance.

The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety standards in private long-distance buses, particularly sleeper services operating during night hours. Officials said inspections would be intensified to ensure adherence to safety norms, including fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and routine vehicle maintenance.

Passengers who escaped the blaze said the situation could have turned fatal had the fire occurred later in the night when most travellers were asleep. Authorities have urged private bus operators to strictly follow safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.