Bus catches fire on highway

A PUBLIC Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) bus exploded in flames on the Solomon Hochoy Highway early yesterday morning. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board at the time and the driver managed to escape from the bus which was rapidly engulfed in flames. Bus driver Samaroo Rampersad of Kanhai Trace, Barrackpore, told police he was travelling north along the highway around 4.30 am. In the vicinity of the Seereram Brothers compound,  he heard a strange noise and smelled smoke. Rampersad discovered that the back of the bus near one of the tyres was on fire. The flames quickly spread and the entire bus was engulfed in flames. Visiting the scene were officers of the Freeport Police Station and Highway Patrol, including PCs Hosein and Lal. Investigations are continuing.