NEW DELHI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and 15 others suffered burn injuries on Saturday after a passenger bus caught fire in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said.
The bus caught fire after ramming into an electric pole, following which a high tension wire fell on it in Banda district, about 197 km south of Lucknow city, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.
"Today a passenger caught fire at Jaspura area of Banda district after a high tension wire fell on it. The wire snapped as the bus hit the electric pole," a police official said. "Four people were burnt alive while 15 others were injured."
Following the incidents locals rushed to the spot to rescue passengers and simultaneously informed police and fire service officials.
"The injured were taken in ambulances to the hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical," the official said.
Police said the bus was going from Banda to Hamirpur.
"The fire was so fierce that it was difficult for the villagers to evacuate the injured passengers from the bus," a local resident said. "The situation aggravated as fire fighters reached the spot bit late."
Preliminary investigations carried out by the police said the mishap took place when the driver lost control of the bus and hit the electric pole.
