Nairobi bound bus catches fire

By Peter Ochieng

A Nairobi bound bus caught fire in the wee hours of Monday morning, causing panic among passengers.

The bus was travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi, before the 1am incident.

All the 20 passengers were rescued, without injuries. Their luggage was salvaged.

According to Eastern regional police commander Joseph Ole Napeiyan, the vehicle went up the flames at Kanga area, within Tsavo National Park.

He said the incident was reported at Mtito Andei police station, in Makueni county.

"It was reported by other motorists at about 1.00 am that there was a vehicle which was on fire along Nairobi-Mombasa highway at Kanga area within Tsavo National Park," said the police commander.

"Our officers responded and established that motor vehicle, a PSV bus was moving from Mombasa direction headed to Nairobi with 20 passengers on board before it got burnt completely after it caught fire from the rear wheel tyre."

"There were no reported injuries while all luggage among other personal belongings was salvaged," he added.

The cause of the fire is still unclear, as investigations commence to establish the possible cause.

"Arrangements were immediately made for another bus and all occupants proceeded with their journey to Nairobi," said Napeiyan.

Last month, a similar incident was reported when a Nairobi-bound passenger service vehicle burnt, after it caught fire in Makueni county, along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The 44-seater bus belonging to Buscar Bus Company had 27 passengers aboard, when the incident happened.

There were neither injuries nor casualties following the incident, as all passengers were evacuated safely.