PTSC bus catches fire on Priority Bus Route

A Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) bus erupted in flames yesterday afternoon while traveling along the Priority Bus Route (PBR) near the Mt Lambert traffic lights. Fortunately, the driver, Ricky Estrada, escaped the inferno unharmed. The bus was reportedly en route to the depot and had no passengers on board at the time of the incident, a fact that brought immense relief to the driver and emergency responders.

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GOD is good. I am happy to be alive.

Estrada, a six-year veteran of the PTSC, recounted his harrowing experience, stating, "GOD is good. I am happy to be alive." He attempted to extinguish the fire with an onboard extinguisher but was forced to abandon the vehicle as the blaze intensified. Emergency services, including the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), were quickly on the scene to combat the fire and manage the traffic disruption.

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I was taking the bus to the depot at Chaguanas. Thankfully, no one else was on the bus. Sometimes if we are going to the depot, it might have another person like a mechanic on board. I am glad it was diesel because it could have gotten worse.

While the cause of the fire is under investigation, the incident caused concern among nearby residents and motorists. The dramatic scene, with flames engulfing the rear of the bus, led to temporary rerouting of traffic on the PBR. The PTSC driver was taken to Mt Hope Hospital for a precautionary check-up and was reported to be traumatized but recovering. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by public transport operators and the importance of swift emergency response.

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I grabbed the fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire. But it ran out. So I ran out of the bus. The police were directing the traffic. They called the fire services. I am glad they got the fire under control.