Inter Africa Bus Gutted by Fire in Bulawayo, Passengers Escape Unharmed

BULAWAYO – An Inter Africa bus was extensively damaged after it caught fire in Bulawayo on Thursday afternoon, shortly after passengers had disembarked, prompting a swift response from the Bulawayo Fire Brigade.

The incident occurred along Basch Street and Sixth Avenue Extension at around 1:30 pm, according to Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo. Moyo said firefighters were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of a bus engulfed in flames.

"The brigade was summoned to a bus on fire at Basch Street and Sixth Avenue Extension. It was found well alight," he said. "The brigade used four high-pressure hose reels with breathing apparatus sets, stage one."

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, although authorities say investigations are continuing.

"The suspected cause of fire is electrical. It's an Inter Africa bus," Moyo said.

According to the Fire Brigade, the bus had completed a passenger trip from Tsholotsho and had already dropped off all passengers when the blaze broke out. The vehicle was reportedly travelling to Kelvin Workshops when the fire started.

A source familiar with the incident said only the driver, conductor, and loader remained on board at the time of the fire.

"The driver, conductor, and loader were the only people on board at the time, and all escaped unharmed," the source said.

The driver, who declined to be identified, reportedly became aware of the fire only after members of the public alerted him. No injuries were reported.

Witnesses said the blaze caused significant damage to the bus interior, reducing parts of the cabin to ashes. The intense heat reportedly caused fittings, including mirrors and interior fixtures, to detach and fall off. Despite the severity of the fire, the exterior structure of the bus remained largely intact. Remarkably, all tyres survived the blaze without visible damage, despite the high temperatures generated by the fire.

The Bulawayo Fire Brigade managed to bring the fire under control before it could spread to nearby property or vehicles. Emergency responders remained at the scene while investigations continued into the exact cause of the incident. The latest bus fire comes amid growing concerns over vehicle maintenance and road transport safety, with experts regularly urging operators to conduct routine inspections of electrical systems and other critical components to reduce the risk of onboard fires. Authorities are expected to release further details once investigations are completed.

Inter Africa bus fire Bulawayo