A commuter bus bound for Manila carrying 53 passengers caught fire Thursday afternoon while driving down a highway in San Jorge, Samar.
San Jorge Police Chief Capt. Michael Ray Cañete told ABS-CBN News that around 1pm, the bus’ rear left tires exploded along Maharlika Highway in Poblacion Village 2, causing the Manila-bound bus’ sudden blaze. Cañete added that before the bus was engulfed in flames, all 53 passengers were safely evacuated and none were hurt.
According to SunStar, the SilverStar Busline passenger bus was coming from Biliran City in Samar. Driver Joseph Sunico was behind the wheel, Manila Bulletin reports.
San Jose Fire Bureau rushed to the scene, evacuated the passengers, and put out the fire by 1:25pm, according to bureau personnel.
Authorities are still investigating what caused the blaze.
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