Passengers narrowly escaped injury after a VIP bus travelling from Kumasi to Sunyani was completely destroyed by fire at Abuakwa in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus began emitting smoke shortly after leaving the Kumasi station. By the time it reached the Abuakwa stretch of the Kumasi-Sunyani road, the situation had worsened, prompting passengers to quickly evacuate the vehicle.

An eyewitness, Ofori Boateng, said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be established, although there were suspicions that the engine may have overheated.

“When the vehicle started smoking, within less than five minutes, the whole bus was engulfed in flames,” he said.

Fortunately, all passengers managed to escape before the fire spread, and no casualties were recorded. However, the bus and property belonging to passengers were completely destroyed.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality responded to the incident and worked to extinguish the blaze, but the vehicle had already sustained extensive damage.

The incident also caused heavy traffic along the Abuakwa stretch of the road. Police officers were deployed to the area to manage the situation and help ease congestion.