Bus catches fire on Taft Avenue

MANILA, Philippines -- A provincial bus carrying at least 20 passengers burst into flames while traversing Taft Avenue in Manila before noon yesterday.

Police said no one was hurt as the passengers, the driver and the conductor managed to get off the BBL Transit bus (AVK-756) before flames engulfed the vehicle at around 11:45 a.m. near the corner of Nakpil Street and Taft Avenue’s northbound lane, according to Police Officer 2 Ferdinand Leyba.

He said that based on the statement of bus conductor Melandro Romo, he and other passengers first noticed the bus’ air-conditioning system shut down. Then he noticed sparks near the rear of the bus, accompanied by the smell of burning wire.

Ernesto Macasaddo, a security guard at the Philippine Women’s University, saw the bus catch fire and immediately called the Manila Fire District. The quick response of firefighters prevented the flames from spreading.

Leyba said arson investigators are still checking what caused the fire and the cost of the damaged property.