A bus of Alif Paribahan parked by the roadside in Ashulia, Savar, was set on fire early Wednesday, leaving the driver, who was asleep inside, injured.
The incident occurred in front of the Women and Children Hospital in the Sarkar Market area, confirmed Pranab Chowdhury, senior station officer of the DEPZ Fire Service.
According to the fire service and local sources, around 4:45am, two individuals arrived on a motorcycle, set the parked bus ablaze, and fled the scene.
Locals later informed the fire service, who arrived and extinguished the fire, though the inside of the bus was completely burnt.
The bus driver, Sattar, said: “I was asleep inside the bus when I suddenly saw it on fire. I immediately jumped out through the window. As I got out, I saw four men on two motorcycles wearing helmets. When I shouted for help, they fired shots into the air to create panic and fled. I injured my knee while escaping.”
Senior Station Officer Pranab of the DEPZ Fire Service said: “Upon receiving the report, a unit from the DEPZ Fire Service rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control within ten minutes. No casualties were reported.”
Ashulia police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Hannan said that he and several officers visited the scene after receiving the report.
The fire service managed to control the blaze shortly after their arrival. Preliminary investigation suggests that four helmeted miscreants on two motorcycles were involved in the arson attack.
“Efforts are underway to identify and bring those responsible to justice”, he said.
