Ten CNG-run buses turned into smoldering wrecks at the BEST Anik depot in Central Mumbai on Monday. The fire, which erupted at 5:45 pm, consumed vehicles procured from private operator Daga Group, according to a BEST spokesperson speaking to PTI. Eyewitnesses described hearing sharp blasts from the yard, followed by thick black smoke billowing into the evening sky.
Civic authorities responded swiftly, dispatching at least four fire engines and five water tankers to the scene. The blaze required more than an hour to bring under control, a testament to the intensity of the fuel involved. Social media footage circulating later showed the sheer scale of the destruction, with multiple buses engulfed in flames.
No injuries were reported, a narrow reprieve in what could have been a catastrophic event. The cause of the fire remains unclear, though the reported blasts suggest a potential rupture in the CNG tanks. Investigators are now combing through the site for forensic evidence.
BEST officials have not yet commented on the financial impact, but the loss of 10 air-conditioned Midi buses will strain operations in the short term. The transport corporation is expected to issue a detailed report on the incident and the subsequent investigation in the coming days.