76 passengers escape unhurt as Power Tools bus catches fire in Lusaka

Seventy-six passengers narrowly escaped unhurt this morning after a Nakonde-bound Power Tools bus caught fire in Zanimuone area along the Great North Road.

The Marco Polo bus, registration number AIB 8569, belonging to Power Tools, caught fire in the early hours of Friday, prompting a swift response from the Lusaka City Council (LCC) fire brigade.

LCC Assistant Public Relations Manager, Bulumba Nyambe, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Lusaka.

“The Council received the emergency call at 04:15 hours and the Fire Brigade responded promptly, arriving at the scene by 04:20 hours,” Nyambe said.

He explained that the bus, carrying 76 passengers from the Lusaka Intercity Bus Terminus to Nakonde, experienced a fire outbreak while en route.

Nyambe said the driver, Mr. Mwape, with the help of other individuals, successfully evacuated all passengers from the vehicle.

“Despite the fire, Mr. Mwape managed to drive the bus to a nearby workshop, prioritising the safety of the passengers and attempting to minimise further damage,” he added.

However, Nyambe noted that upon arrival, the fire brigade initially could not locate the bus at the reported point of evacuation as it had been moved to the workshop, but later found it several meters away.

He said no casualties were recorded, though the bus was extensively damaged by the fire.

“The City Council has therefore recommended a thorough investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire, assess compliance with fire safety regulations, and identify any contributing factors,” he said.

Nyambe commended the driver and individuals who assisted in evacuating the passengers, saying their swift and courageous actions ensured that lives were saved.

He assured that the LCC remained committed to public safety and would continue strengthening emergency response mechanisms and promoting fire safety awareness across the city.

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