City Bus on Fire While Driving, Driver's Quick Response Prevents Major Damage

A city bus running through downtown Suncheon caught fire in its wheel, but the driver's quick response prevented major damage. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A fire broke out on a city bus running in Suncheon, Jeonnam, which nearly resulted in casualties, but thanks to the driver's calm response and the fire extinguisher equipped in the vehicle, major damage was avoided.

According to the Suncheon Fire Station on the 8th, at around 1:59 PM that day, a fire started from the right wheel of a city bus running on a road in Seomyeon, Suncheon-si, Jeonnam.

The driver, Lee Mo (63), smelled a pungent odor while waiting at a traffic signal, got off the bus, and recognized the fire. He evacuated many passengers on board to a safe area outside the vehicle.

Then, Mr. Lee used the fire extinguisher inside the vehicle to put out the fire, and before the fire department arrived, only part of the vehicle was burned and the fire was extinguished.

Ha Su-cheol, chief of the Suncheon Fire Station, said, "Driver Lee's courage and the fire extinguisher equipped in the vehicle prevented a major fire and minimized damage."

The fire authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started due to overheating of the brake system.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.