MSRTC Shivshahi Bus Catches Fire Near Dhule; Driver’s Quick Action Saves all 49 Lives
DHULE: A catastrophic disaster was narrowly avoided on the outskirts of Dhule city on July 22, after a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Shivshahi bus caught fire mid-transit. The extraordinary presence of mind shown by driver Rahul Ramesh Chavan and conductor Sajid Mohamed ensured all 49 passengers were safely evacuated without a single injury.
The AC bus (MH 06 BW 0471) was traveling on the Nandurbar–Dhule route when it reached the Nagavbari area near Dhule city. Driver Rahul Chavan noticed heavy smoke billowing from the engine section. Recognizing the impending danger, Chavan immediately pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road.
As panic spread among the commuters, conductor Sajid Mohamed and Chavan acted rapidly, ushering all 49 passengers out of the bus within minutes. Moments after the evacuation, the smoke turned into massive flames, completely enveloping the vehicle and causing heavy structural damage.
Bus Catches Fire near Dhule 🔥
— PuneNow (@itspunenow) July 22, 2026
Heroic actions avert tragedy! 🚨
An MSRTC Shivshahi bus (MH 06 BW 0471) carrying 49 passengers from Nandurbar caught fire in the Nagavbari area today after an electrical short circuit triggered a fire in the engine compartment.
Spotting the smoke… pic.twitter.com/ndv4mPGpNp
Upon receiving the distress call, the Dhule Municipal Corporation fire department dispatched an engine to the scene. Driver Siddharth Khairnar, alongside leading firemen Pandurang Patil and Shyam Kanade, battled the blaze and successfully brought it under control.
While the incident caused temporary traffic disruption on the national highway, police personnel arrived swiftly to manage the crowd and restore normal traffic flow. Preliminary reports suggest an electrical short circuit triggered the fire, though official authorities are conducting a detailed inspection to assess the exact financial loss and technical cause. The heroic quick thinking of Chavan and Mohamed has drawn immense praise from both the public and MSRTC officials.
Vineet Gupta is the Founder and Managing Editor of PuneNow, where he oversees local news delivery and explores mindful living, parenting, and personal growth. An alumnus of the University of Wales, Vineet has travelled extensively and worked across hospitality, finance, and academia. Now based in Pune, his diverse global background informs his hyper-local perspective, helping the community find meaning, balance, and connection in everyday life.
