Fire Erupts at Depot
On a recent Tuesday morning, a catastrophic fire consumed a double-decker electric bus housed within the Kurla BEST depot in Mumbai. The incident, which
began around 6:30 AM, fortunately resulted in no reported injuries. Preliminary investigations into the genesis of the blaze are currently underway, with the BEST undertaking initiating a formal inquiry to ascertain the precise cause. The fire brigade received information regarding the conflagration originating within the depot premises, near Kanakia Building.
Bus Undergoing Repairs
The double-decker electric bus that was engulfed in flames was not in active service at the time of the incident. It had been withdrawn from its routes on May 1st due to a reported technical malfunction. Consequently, the bus was transported to the Kurla depot specifically for repair work. The fire is understood to have originated in the bus's basement parking area. Staff at the depot first noticed smoke billowing from the out-of-service vehicle at approximately 3:55 PM. An engineering cleaner on duty promptly alerted supervisors, who then attempted to combat the flames using the 10 to 15 fire extinguishers available on-site. Despite their efforts, the fire rapidly intensified and engulfed the entire bus.
Emergency Response
Following the escalation of the fire, the fire brigade and the bus control room were notified at 4:10 PM. In response, five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, initiating immediate firefighting operations. Significantly, no official representatives from Switch Mobility, the bus manufacturer, were present at the depot when the fire broke out. A company official did arrive at the depot later, around 4:40 PM. The blaze was ultimately brought under full control by 6:15 PM. As a precautionary measure, authorities temporarily sealed off the depot, causing a disruption to afternoon bus services.
Manufacturer's Statement
The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking utilizes 50 electric double-decker buses as part of its extensive fleet, which comprises approximately 2,700 buses. In the wake of the incident, Switch Mobility issued a statement acknowledging the thermal event. The company confirmed that the bus was at the BEST Kurla Depot for servicing at the time of the incident and that the situation was quickly contained. They reiterated that no injuries were reported and that a thorough investigation into the matter was ongoing. The company's statement underscored their commitment to understanding and addressing the cause of the fire.
