Bus carrying Grade 1 pupils on excursion catches fire on NLEX

• A bus carrying over 40 Grade 1 excursionists caught fire on NLEX in Marilao, Bulacan on Oct. 1
• No passengers were injured; the children were safely transferred to another bus
• Initial investigation by BFP said the blaze may have started from a rear tire bursting into flames
• Passengers recalled smelling smoke and hearing a loud explosion before flames engulfed the bus, causing heavy traffic

A bus carrying over 40 Grade 1 excursionists caught fire while traveling along the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Barangay Patubig, Marilao, Bulacan on Wednesday night, Oct. 1.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. Authorities said the passengers, mostly children, were immediately transferred to another bus and safely brought home.

According to the initial investigation by the Marilao Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the fire may have started when the vehicle’s rear tire allegedly burst into flames.

Police said the bus had come from an amusement park in Pasay City before heading north.

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One of the parents on board recalled the tense moment before the fire spread.

“We were about to enter the NLEX when I smelled something, I noticed that the smoke on my window side was very thick and the wall by the window was already hot,” a mother of a Grade 1 pupil said.

Passengers reported hearing a loud explosion, after which flames quickly engulfed the rear portion of the bus.

The driver managed to stop the vehicle, and all passengers were evacuated immediately.

The incident temporarily caused heavy traffic along the expressway as emergency responders rushed to the site.

Firefighters were able to control the blaze, preventing further damage.

Authorities are conducting further investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, while ensuring safety measures are strictly followed by bus operators to avoid similar incidents in the future.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories for all of the ordinary people in the country as today.

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In related news, PHIVOLCS identified the source of the recent magnitude 6.9 Cebu earthquake as an offshore fault. The fault had been seismically dormant for at least 400 years, leading to a greater accumulation of destructive energy. The earthquake's epicenter was shallow, contributing to the Intensity VII shaking and the high casualty count of nearly 70. Cebu lies in a seismically active region with multiple known and unnamed fault systems capable of generating strong tremors.

In other news, CCTV footage revealed a fake holdup inside a Quezon City grocery, where suspects staged an armed robbery involving a cashier. Police later confirmed it was an inside job, with the 21-year-old cashier identified as the alleged mastermind. Four suspects were arrested, including a 23-year-old, a 20-year-old lookout, and a 17-year-old minor; authorities recovered a replica gun and P13,200. All suspects admitted guilt, claiming financial hardship drove them to commit the crime; they now face robbery charges and other violations.

Source: KAMI.com.gh