All passengers on board an 18-seater bus escaped death after fire engulfed the vehicle they were travelling in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday.

Eyewitness told our correspondent that the loaded vehicle caught fire while on transit from Owerri, Imo State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that the fire was sudden and huge, hence all the occupants, including the driver and his conductor, jumped out of the vehicle.

After racing to safety, they all watched helplessly as the fire spread fast and completely burn down the vehicle, with many thanking God for their escape.

One of the eyewitnesses said the fire resulted from an electrical problem, saying that with the force, it was difficult for anyone to salvage the situation.

He stated, ?It is an electrical issue. So all the passengers were jumping out through the window and the door. Full passengers with driver and conductor.

?Some have bruises while trying to escape from the windows, while the vehicle burned down completely?.

Another eyewitness who simply gave his name as Tony said the vehicle was coming from Owerri to Port Harcourt when the fire started suddenly.

? It is was a serious fire. They were coming from Owerri. Unfortunately, there was a fire outbreak, so the passengers, driver and conductor ran out. The bus got burnt, and we thank God there were no casualties. ?

The situation caused a gridlock and panic at the Igwuruta roundabout, as many vehicles quickly made a detour and watched from afar as the bus was completely burned down with the goods loaded in it.

The fire was, however, controlled to prevent it from affecting other vehicles on the busy road, even as no fire service was at the scene of the incident.

When contacted, spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was yet to receive the report of the incident, but promised to find out and get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Friday evening. (Saturday PUNCH)

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