Bidar: In tragic incident, a three-year-old kid was burnt alive and fiver others suffered burnt injuries when the private bus they were travelling in caught fire on Friday morning at Humnabad in Karnataka.

The bus was on its way to Hyderabad from Shirdi. Around 3 am, the passengers on board noticed fire from the rear end of the vehicle and alerted the driver. Major loss of life was averted after the passengers were evacuated from the bus. Unfortunately, three-year-old child remained unnoticed in the bus as the bus reduced to ashes within no time.

Five of the passengers who suffered minor burnt injuries were rushed to Humnabad government hospital, about 55 kms from Bidar town. According to the police, the fire accident occurred near Humnabad when total of 29 passengers were heading to Hyderabad from Shirdi in the bus. The bus belong to Kaveri Travels in Kukatpally, Hyderabad.

Since the fire mishap occurred in Karnataka State, the police initially suspected that the bus was set on fire by some agitators or miscreants as part of the protest against the ongoing tussle over Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Later, the police arrived to a conclusion that the bus was caught due to short circuit. A case has been registered and investigation is on.

Meanwhile, Telangana Transport Minister Mahender Reddy expressed shock over the fire mishap. He directed the officials to make arrangements to bring the victims safe home. He assured medical aid to the victims who are undergoing treatment in the hospital.