By Deborah Nnamdi
All passengers aboard an 18-seater bus narrowly escaped death on Friday, May 30, 2025, when the vehicle was engulfed in flames in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the fully loaded bus was en route from Owerri, Imo State, to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when it suddenly caught fire mid-transit.
According to reports, the fire erupted abruptly and spread rapidly, prompting all occupants—including the driver and conductor—to leap out of the burning vehicle.
Having managed to reach safety, the passengers watched helplessly as the blaze consumed the bus completely. Many expressed gratitude for escaping unhurt, though some sustained minor injuries while scrambling out through windows and doors.
One eyewitness attributed the incident to an electrical fault, stating, “It was an electrical issue. All the passengers, including the driver and conductor, had to jump out—some through the windows. A few got bruised in the process, but thankfully everyone made it out.”
Another witness, who identified himself simply as Tony, confirmed the bus was traveling from Owerri to Port Harcourt when the fire broke out unexpectedly.
“It was a serious fire,” he said. “The bus was coming from Owerri when it suddenly went up in flames. Thankfully, everyone escaped before it was too late. The vehicle and the goods inside were destroyed.”
The incident caused traffic congestion and panic at the Igwuruta roundabout, as motorists made U-turns and gathered at a distance to watch the burning vehicle.
Though the fire was eventually contained and prevented from spreading to other vehicles, no fire service personnel were present at the scene.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she had not yet received a briefing on the incident but promised to follow up and respond accordingly.
