Tens of passengers narrowly escaped a major tragedy on Monday morning, April 28, after a bus suddenly caught fire near the Gitaru Interchange, which connects Wangige and the Southern Bypass.
The bus, belonging to the Guardian Angel company, is said to have burst into flames from the rear section, causing passengers to quickly jump out and run for safety.
Videos and photos shared with Newshub.co.ke show the back left side of the bus completely burnt, with witnesses reporting that the fire appeared to have started from the rear wheels, which had become jammed.
Firefighters arrived at the scene quickly and managed to put out the fire before it could spread to the rest of the bus or nearby vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities were reported, and all passengers were evacuated safely. However, a traffic police officer at the scene was seen struggling to control the crowd that had gathered, warning onlookers that the fire could restart since tyres are highly flammable and dangerous when overheated.
The incident caused temporary traffic disruptions at the Gitaru Interchange, with vehicles experiencing delays as the burnt bus was left immobile.
A large part of its rear wheels was severely damaged by the fire, making it difficult to remove the bus from the road immediately.
Sadly, such incidents of buses catching fire have become more common across Kenya in recent months. Worryingly, it is long-distance buses that seem to be the most affected.
In another case in August 2024, a 60-seater passenger bus caught fire near Mtito Andei, along the busy Mombasa-Nairobi Highway.
Preliminary investigations into that incident suggested that a technical failure may have triggered the fire.
Firefighters were also dispatched quickly in that case to contain the flames, which had engulfed the bus before help could arrive.
Why Bus Fires Happen: A Closer Look
Bus fires can happen due to several reasons, with common causes including engine malfunctions, electrical system failures, and brake overheating. In the case of the Guardian Angel bus, experts suggest that the fire starting from the rear wheels could have been caused by overheated brakes.
Overheating of brakes is a major risk for long-distance buses, especially when traveling through steep terrains or congested roads. In such conditions, the rear brakes often work extra hard to control the bus’s speed, which leads to excessive heat build-up.
If a bus is poorly maintained, the risk becomes even higher. Worn-out brake pads and damaged brake discs struggle to function properly, creating intense friction.
This friction can easily generate sparks or extreme heat, igniting fires when it comes into contact with flammable materials like tyres.
Another possible cause is jammed axles. When an axle jams, it produces intense heat due to the pressure and friction between moving parts.
If not addressed promptly, this heat can be enough to start a fire, putting the lives of passengers and other road users at serious risk.
As the number of such incidents increases, there are growing calls for transport companies to carry out more frequent bus maintenance checks and ensure that all vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long-distance journeys.
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