Private Sleeper Bus Fire Near Hosanagara Injures Three

A private sleeper bus travelling from Hosanagara to Bengaluru caught fire late Tuesday night near Sudur village in Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga district, leaving three people injured and several others with minor injuries. The bus, operated by Sri Annapurneshwari Travels, was carrying 36 passengers when smoke was noticed emerging from the driver’s cabin around 10:30 pm on January 27, 2026.

According to police, the driver attempted to stop the vehicle immediately upon seeing the smoke. In the ensuing panic, the bus veered off the road and struck a tree before coming to a halt. Quick-thinking passengers, who were awake at the time, managed to open windows and use the emergency exit to evacuate safely. Within minutes, the non-air-conditioned bus was completely engulfed in flames, leaving no opportunity to salvage luggage or personal belongings.

Three people—the driver, the conductor, and one other individual—suffered burn injuries, while several passengers sustained bruises and minor injuries while jumping from the bus. All the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, and doctors have confirmed their conditions are stable.

Shivamogga Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil highlighted that the non-air-conditioned design of the bus played a crucial role in preventing a more serious tragedy. “Since it was a non-AC bus, passengers could open the windows and escape quickly. Three people suffered burn injuries, and others sustained minor injuries while getting down in a hurry,” he said.

Fire and Emergency Services teams arrived promptly and extinguished the flames, but the bus was completely destroyed. Traffic on the route was temporarily disrupted during the emergency response.

Preliminary investigations indicate the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit or an engine-related issue. Police have registered a case and are conducting a detailed investigation to determine if there were lapses in vehicle maintenance or safety compliance.

The incident has raised renewed concerns over fire safety in private long-distance sleeper buses, particularly during night travel. Authorities have announced intensified inspections to ensure compliance with safety norms, including emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and routine vehicle maintenance. Passengers who escaped the blaze noted that the outcome could have been far worse had the fire occurred later at night when most travellers were asleep.

Officials are urging private bus operators to strictly follow safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasising the need for vigilance and adherence to fire safety standards.