A dramatic scene unfolded near Matunga police station in Mumbai on Saturday evening when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Shivshahi bus suddenly started emitting smoke. The bus was traveling on the Dadar-Pune route from Parel depot with 26 passengers onboard around 6 pm. Luckily, no one was hurt as all passengers were evacuated quickly and safely. The smoke started coming from the air-conditioning ducts, causing panic among the passengers. An MSRTC official clarified, “There was no fire on the bus except for smoke coming out of the AC ducts.” This soothed fears but did not stop the scare. With quick thinking, a police towing van following the bus broke the emergency window, rescuing two to three passengers immediately. The rest escaped calmly through the main door. The cause, reportedly, was a short circuit in the AC fuse. Firefighters acted fast! Two fire engines reached the spot and managed to douse the smoke and prevent a bigger blaze in just 35 minutes. “All 30-40 passengers were evacuated safely. There is no report of injury to anyone,” said an official. This incident is a reminder of the importance of quick response and safety measures in public transport. Thanks to the prompt action by passengers, police, and firefighters, a possible disaster was avoided in the busy streets of Mumbai!