Lucky passengers escape death after Modern Coast bus catches fire
A Modern Coast bus and other vehicles on fire along Chavakali-Kapsabet Road on December 27, 2021.
Tens of passengers escaped unhurt on Monday evening after the bus they were traveling in went up in flames at Bendera area along Chavakali-Kapsabet Road, Vihiga County.
The Modern Coast bus was ferrying passengers from Kakamega when the incident happened at a spot where two saloon cars had been involved in an accident.
Vihiga County Commander Benjamin Ong'ombe confirmed the incident while noting that there were no casualties.
The two saloon cars were involved in a head-on collision moments before the speeding bus arrived.
Glass fragments from the crash were scattered all over the road, which police reckon is what burst tyres of the Modern Coast bus.
"When the driver of the bus was approaching the scene where the cars crashed, he started hooting to get his way," said Mr Ong'ombe.
"We suspect the bus ran over sharp glass that made its tyre burst. The bus then caught fire. Passengers quickly left the bus."
As a result of the huge flames from the bus, the fire spread to the two saloon cars.
The accident caused a snarl up along Chavakali-Kapsabet Road as motorists had to wait for the inferno to be contained before passing through.
Modern Coast later issued a statement saying the fire was caused by a petrol spill emanating from the saloon cars.
"A standby bus was sent from Kakamega and the passengers are on their way to Mombasa," the firm said while apologising to customers for inconveniences caused.
