An ordinary unit of the Mega Bus Line plying the Tagbilaran-Pasig route was gutted by a fire in Barangay Sta. Fe, Alburquerque on Sunday afternoon.
According to PO1 Serperio Elicot of the Alburquerque police station, four passengers including one minor were on board the vehicle when it caught fire at around 4 p.m.
No one was injured during the incident, said Elicot.
The passengers were identified as Elsi Mang-mang of Loay, Roel Espina of Bilar and Christina Buena Agua of Camarines.
Police were alerted at 4:15 p.m. and arrived at the scene with the bus still in flames.
Based on initial investigation, the fire started at the rear end of the vehicle and may have been caused by a technical malfunction.
The bus’s driver, Luis Secretario, 45, of Camarines Sur, told authorities that the bus suddenly emitted smoke at the back portion prompting him to examine its engine.
However, the back end of the bus, particularly near its baggage container and engine, suddenly burst into flames.
Passengers were able to disembark before the blaze engulfed the vehicle.
Firefighters responded to the fire which was shortly after placed under control and put out.
Authorities said that further investigation will still be conducted to identify the cause of the fire. (Allen Doydora)