Tensemoments unfolded in Gollapudi, Vijayawada rural mandal, in the NTR district on Saturday when an APSRTC bus travelling from Jaggaiahpet to Vijayawada caught fire due to a suspected technical fault, causing panic among passengers. The incident occurred near Gollapudi while an APSRTC bus belonging to the Jaggaiahpet depot was on its way to Vijayawada. Smoke and flames were suddenly noticed emerging from the engine compartment of the bus. Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit in the engine section may have triggered the fire. Upon noticing the smoke, the driver acted quickly and pulled the vehicle over to the roadside. He alerted the passengers and ensured their safe evacuation before the situation escalated. The sight of flames and thick smoke created panic among commuters. While many passengers exited through the bus doors, some, fearing for their safety, jumped out through the windows. Fortunately, all passengers managed to escape unharmed, and no casualties or injuries were reported. Officials indicated that the intense summer heat might have contributed to the overheating of the engine, leading to the suspected short circuit. However, the exact cause of the incident will be determined after a thorough investigation. RTC authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident. The driver’s timely response has been widely praised for preventing a major accident