Greater Noida Bus Fire: Driver Called Burning Smell ‘Common’ Before Blaze Killed 9, FIR Says

A sleeper bus travelling from Delhi to Mahoba caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Greater Noida late Wednesday night, killing nine passengers and injuring several others. A passenger’s complaint filed with police has raised questions over the driver and conductor’s response after travellers reportedly noticed a burning smell inside the bus shortly before the blaze.

According to the FIR registered at Jewar police station, passengers alerted the driver and conductor after noticing the smell coming from the driver’s cabin around 11.30 pm near the 33-km mark of the Yamuna Expressway. The complaint alleges that the driver dismissed the warning and did not stop the bus to check the source.

Passengers Allegedly Warned Driver About Burning Smell

The complaint was filed by Suneel Kumar, who said around 30-35 passengers were travelling on the Raj Kalpana Travels bus. Kumar alleged that passengers noticed a burning smell and repeatedly asked the driver to stop the vehicle. However, the driver allegedly told them that such a smell was common in the bus and continued driving instead of checking the vehicle, according to the FIR. Passengers reportedly raised the alarm again when flames began appearing near the driver's seat. By then, the fire had started spreading rapidly and smoke was filling the passenger compartment. Greater Noida Bus Fire: 9 Killed as Double-Decker Bus Catches Fire on Yamuna Expressway (Videos).

Driver, Conductor Allegedly Smoking Inside Cabin

The passenger complaint also contains an allegation that the driver and conductor were smoking bidis and cigarettes inside the cabin shortly before the fire broke out. According to the FIR, passengers had objected to the smoking, but the driver and conductor allegedly continued smoking. NDTV, citing the FIR, reported that the two allegedly laughed when passengers objected and told them to remain quiet. These claims are part of the passenger's complaint and are being examined as part of the police investigation.

Passengers Struggled to Escape as Fire Spread

Once the flames intensified, passengers attempted to escape from the burning vehicle. Some reportedly jumped out after the bus stopped, while others remained trapped inside as thick smoke spread through the vehicle. Survivors have described severe difficulty in getting out because of the rapidly spreading fire and heavy smoke. Several injured passengers were taken to Kailash Hospital in Jewar for treatment. Police said nine passengers died from burns and suffocation. The identities of the deceased are being established.

Driver, Conductor Detained

Police have detained the bus driver and conductor for questioning as part of the investigation. A case has been registered based on the passenger's complaint, and authorities are examining the circumstances leading to the fire and the response of the bus crew. The complaint accuses the driver and conductor of negligence and alleges that their failure to respond to the passengers' warnings contributed to the tragedy. These allegations have not yet been established by the investigation. Greater Noida: Nine Dead as Passenger Bus Catches Fire on Yamuna Expressway.

9 Killed in Greater Noida Bus Fire

Preliminary Probe Points to AC System

A preliminary investigation has indicated that the fire may have originated from a blast or spark in the bus's air-conditioning system. Investigators suspect that the incident may have ignited engine lubricating oil, allowing the flames to spread rapidly. The exact cause of the fire, however, remains under investigation. Police are examining the damaged bus, survivor statements and other evidence to determine how the blaze started and whether required safety precautions were followed.

Bus Had Previous Traffic Violations

The incident has also brought scrutiny on the vehicle's regulatory history. According to government database information cited by India Today, the bus had accumulated 19 challans amounting to around Rs 1.75 lakh for various violations. These included violations related to an underage driver, retrofitting and fuel-related rules, as well as permit requirements. Investigators are also examining whether any previous issues with the vehicle were relevant to Wednesday night's fire.

The bus was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi towards Mahoba when the fire broke out near Jewar on the Yamuna Expressway. The investigation is now focused on both the cause of the fire and whether the bus crew acted appropriately after passengers first reported the burning smell.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 02:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).