Sundargarh: In a shocking act of arson, unidentified miscreants set a private bus ablaze near Balijhudi Square in Rourkela late last night.
According to preliminary reports, the miscreants took advantage of the darkness to pour flammable substances on the parked bus named ‘Anjali’ and set it on fire before fleeing the scene. The luxurious bus worth over Rs 2 crore was severely damaged in the intense blaze.
However, local residents spotted smoke and flames rising from the vehicle and immediately alerted the fire brigade and police.
It is pertinent to mention that the bus, bought around 15 days ago, was parked near Balijhudi as the permit was being processed.
Upon being informed, fire tenders rushed to the spot and managed to bring the fire under control promptly, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles and shops. Fortunately, no passengers were on board at the time of the incident, resulting in no casualties or injuries. However, the bus owner has suffered significant financial loss.
Police, meanwhile, launched an investigation to nab the miscreants who set the bus on fire. They are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and questioning locals to identify the culprits.
A case has been registered, and further probe is underway.
The incident has caused unrest among local transport operators, who have demanded strict action against the perpetrators and increased night patrolling to prevent such occurrences in the future.
