PHITSANULOK – A tragedy was avoided early this morning in Phitsanulok province. A Bangkok-to-Nan passenger bus caught fire while driving along Highway 117. This scary incident happened at around 2:00 AM as the bus entered the Bang Rakam district.
Thankfully, all 21 passengers and the bus staff escaped without a single injury. The fast thinking of the bus driver truly saved everyone on board. A replacement bus quickly arrived to take the stranded passengers safely to their final destination.
Key Takeaways
- A passenger bus caught fire early morning on July 8 in Phitsanulok.
- The driver smelled smoke and evacuated all 21 passengers safely.
- No one was hurt, and firefighters put out the flames in 30 minutes.
- The exact cause of the vehicle fire is still under investigation.
The long-distance bus belonged to the popular Nakhonchai Air transport company. As the driver entered the Bang Rakam area, he noticed a strange burning smell. At first, he opened his window because he thought the smoke was coming from outside.
However, he quickly realized the dangerous smell was actually coming from the bus itself. He immediately pulled over to the side of the road and stopped the engine. Without any hesitation, the driver ordered all 21 passengers to leave the vehicle right away.
This fast and smart decision proved to be a true lifesaver for the travelers. Everyone moved a safe distance away from the highway to wait for help. About 20 to 30 minutes later, flames suddenly burst from the middle section of the empty bus.
The intense fire burned fiercely for about 30 minutes before emergency responders could arrive. It was a terrifying sight, but knowing everyone was safe brought huge relief to the crew.
Firefighters Rush to Highway 117
The Bang Rakam Police Station received an urgent emergency call about the highway fire. They quickly sent local firefighters and heavy water trucks to the dark scene. When the rescue teams finally arrived, the large bus was completely covered in flames.
One firefighter mentioned that the passengers were already safely away from the danger zone. Only the brave driver remained near the burning bus to guide the rescue teams. Rescue workers used strong water hoses and successfully stopped the fire in about 30 minutes.
After the thick smoke cleared, workers towed the heavily damaged bus away from the busy road. The ruined vehicle now sits in the parking lot of a nearby Bangchak gas station. For more ongoing updates on local transport incidents, you can follow major Thai news portals.
Searching for the Exact Cause
Right now, the exact cause of the sudden bus fire remains a total mystery. Police officers and vehicle safety experts will inspect the burned bus very closely. They want to find the real problem and prevent this from happening to other buses.
Long-distance bus travel is very common and highly important for people living in Thailand. Because of this, vehicle safety remains a top priority for transport companies and everyday travelers. Thankfully, excellent driver training ensured this dramatic story ended with everyone safe and sound.
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