A Balasore-bound bus in flames on National Highway No. 55 at Panchubati in Dhenkanal on Tuesday. All the 45 passengers onboard, however, escaped unhurt.

The private air-conditioned sleeper bus began its journey from Balangir on Monday evening. Around 2am, the driver noticed fire and smoke billowing out of the bus and raised an alarm. Soon after, all passengers alighted from the bus. By the time, fire tenders reached the spot, the bus had been reduced to ashes, police said.

"The driver said he had heard a sound coming from the rear wheels for some time. He, however, thought he would be able to drive it up to Balasore. When he saw fire and smoke inside the bus, he alerted us," said a passenger.

Inspector in charge of Sadar police station T.M. Nayak said: "The rear wheels of the bus possibly had some problems. The driver is absconding. No case has been registered in this connection so far."

This is the third mishap between Banarpal and Dhenkanal on the NH-55 this month.

In the two previous mishaps, three and four people were killed in head-on collisions, respectively.

Text by B.K. Rout, Telegraph picture