A passenger bus travelling from Motihari to Chhatarpur caught fire on the NH-27 Barji overbridge in Muzaffarpur at 12:45 am on Wednesday, January 31, 2026, officials said. The district fire service evacuated all 35 passengers on board and brought the blaze under control, authorities reported.
Evacuation and cause
Amrita Kumari, Sub-Divisional Fire Officer of Motipur, said the fire broke out at 12:45 am and the fire department was working at the scene from 1:04 am. "The bus was travelling from Motihari towards Chhatarpur with around 35 passengers on board. All people have been safely evacuated. The fire was triggered by a short circuit," she said.
- Time of incident: 12:45 am, January 31, 2026
- Response time noted: Fire department on scene from 1:04 am
- Passengers evacuated: 35
- Preliminary cause: Short circuit (as reported by fire officer)
Immediate impact and response
The quick evacuation averted injuries, the Motipur fire office said. Details on the extent of damage to the vehicle and whether any passengers required medical attention were not provided in the initial report. Fire crews remained at the site after the blaze was brought under control to ensure there was no rekindling and to investigate the precise origin of the short circuit.
Local context and road safety concerns
The incident occurred on NH-27, a major national highway that carries heavy inter-district traffic through Muzaffarpur. Safety on this corridor is a frequent local concern because of high vehicle density, mixed commercial and passenger transport and the number of older vehicles operating on long-distance routes. Quick action by local fire services prevented loss of life in this case, but the episode underlines infrastructure and enforcement challenges that affect commuter safety.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin of bus | Motihari |
| Destination | Chhatarpur |
| Time fire started | 12:45 am, January 31, 2026 |
| Fire department arrival | 1:04 am (fire personnel working at scene) |
| Passengers evacuated | 35 |
"The bus was travelling from Motihari towards Chhatarpur with around 35 passengers on board. All people have been safely evacuated. The fire was triggered by a short circuit,"
The quote above was provided by Amrita Kumari, Sub-Divisional Fire Officer, Motipur.
Separate road accident in district
In a separate incident in the Muzaffarpur district reported from a later date, two women riding a scooter were killed after being hit by a speeding luxury car on the Darbhanga four-lane. Bochaha DSP Alay Vats told ANI that on July 4, 2026, one woman died at the scene and the other succumbed to injuries during treatment. The victims were identified in the report as Neha Kumari of Sharfuddinpur and Nishu Kumari of Binoba Chowk; both worked for a finance company and were reportedly travelling to the city for work. The vehicle involved was seized and further legal action was said to be underway.
That fatal accident — referenced in the same reporting as the bus fire — highlights a continuing pattern of road-safety risks on major routes in the Muzaffarpur area, including high-speed collisions and incidents involving both commercial and private vehicles.
Further details on the bus fire investigation and any follow-up safety measures from district authorities were not available in the initial reports. Local commuters and passengers are likely to watch for official updates from the district administration and Motipur fire office about findings on the vehicle condition, compliance with safety regulations and any recommendations to prevent similar incidents on busy stretches of NH-27.
