2 parked buses set on fire in Savar, Dhamrai

Unidentified individuals set fire to two parked buses in Dhaka's Savar and Dhamrai upazilas yesterday (16 November).

In Savar, a passenger bus parked near the Bottola area along the Birulia embankment was set on fire around 11pm.

Locals rushed to the spot and extinguished the flames using water and sand. No casualties were reported.

Confirming the incident, Md A Wahab, sub-inspector and in-charge of the Birulia police outpost under Savar Model Police Station, told The Business Standard that the bus owner had parked the vehicle in front of the Mir Akhtar Construction gate near the Birulia embankment and gone for a meal.

"In the meantime, unknown persons set the bus on fire and fled. I am currently at the scene, and we are investigating the matter," the SI added.

Earlier, a passenger bus parked beside a road in the Dhulivita area of Dhamrai upazila was set on fire.

The incident occurred around 10pm on the upazila-bound regional road, about 100 yards off the Dhaka-Aricha Highway, said Dhamrai Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Monirul Islam.

"Only 4-5 seat covers were burnt. The fire was extinguished with just buckets of water. It was essentially an abandoned vehicle," he said, adding that the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed and the matter is under investigation.

Sohel Rana, station officer of the Dhamrai Fire Service and Civil Defence Station, said firefighters promptly reached the spot and extinguished the fire. 

"Apparently, gunpowder was used to set the bus on fire. However, no one was injured. Primary assessment suggests that someone deliberately set fire to the vehicle and fled."

Md Faruk, the night guard of the bus, told the media, "Around 10pm, two motorcycles arrived from the direction of Dhulivita. Miscreants first threw bricks and then ignited the fire using gunpowder. Seeing the blaze, we immediately informed the fire service."