No Injuries After Hybrid Bus Catches Fire in Kraków

Firefighters contain blaze, but transport disruptions follow as bus burns on busy street

A hybrid bus carrying about 50 passengers caught fire in Kraków on Monday afternoon, causing significant damage but no injuries. The incident occurred on al. 29 Listopada near the Biskupa Prandoty 02 bus stop, leading to traffic disruptions in the area. The fire, which started in the engine compartment of the bus operating on line 139, was swiftly extinguished by local firefighters.

Bartłomiej Rosiek, a press officer from the Kraków Municipal Fire Department, confirmed that the fire broke out around the middle of the day. Fortunately, all passengers on board were able to exit the bus safely before the flames fully engulfed the vehicle. “No one was hurt, and everyone was evacuated in time,” Rosiek said.

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Videos of the scene, shared widely on social media, show thick black smoke billowing into the air as the bus burned completely. A large column of smoke was visible from a considerable distance, but fire officials assured the public that the smoke posed no direct danger to nearby residents.

Fire Extinguished, Traffic Disrupted

Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control, and efforts to tow the bus began shortly after. Despite the rapid response, the bus was left severely damaged by the flames. Authorities said that the cause of the fire is under investigation, but early reports suggest a malfunction in the engine could be responsible.

Following the fire, significant traffic disruptions were reported in the area. The Biskupa Prandoty 02 bus stop remained out of service as crews worked to clear the wreckage. Kraków’s public transport company, Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne (MPK), stated on social media that multiple bus routes were affected by the fire. To manage the situation, buses were diverted to alternative routes through Młyńska, Pilotów, Lubomirskiego streets, and the św. Rafała Kalinowskiego tunnel.

Commuters Face Delays

MPK officials apologized for the inconvenience caused by the incident and urged commuters to check for updated travel routes. The transport company also warned that delays might persist until the wreckage was fully cleared and regular bus services could resume.

Despite the disruptions, authorities emphasized that the situation was handled efficiently, and no one was in immediate danger. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining hybrid public transport vehicles, which are designed to reduce emissions but occasionally face mechanical issues.

Kraków has invested heavily in hybrid buses as part of its broader efforts to reduce urban pollution. The city’s public transport fleet includes a growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles, aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality. While hybrid buses have generally been well-received for their environmental benefits, incidents like Monday’s fire raise concerns about the reliability and maintenance of these newer technologies.