Loud explosion Bus completely destroyed by fire in Königswinter

HEISTERBACHERROTT · An explosion was heard in Heisterbacherrott, a part of Königswinter, early on Friday morning. A bus caught fire and a tire exploded with a major bang. Passengers were able to exit the bus on time.

Residents were alarmed by an explosion in Heisterbacherrott, a village in Königswinter, early on Friday morning. A bus from Line 520 caught on fire at the Haus Schlesien stop on Dollendorfer Straße, and a tire exploded, causing a loud bang that could be heard far beyond the village. Seven passengers were on board the bus, which had been heading to Oberpleis, and they were able to leave the vehicle in time. Dollendorfer Straße was completely closed off following the accident. Police said it would open again at around 11:30am and until then, traffic would be diverted.

Fire department spokesman Marc Neunkirchen said they had been alerted at 8:46 am. At first, it was stated that a truck had caught fire. And the fire had been reported in the village of Dahlhausen, which belongs to Hennef. So the fire units from those locations moved in before the responsible fire department from Oelberg arrived.

When the firefighters arrived at the scene, the bus was already immersed in flames. Fire officials were mainly concerned with preventing the fire from spreading to nearby trees and shrubs. "But everything is charred within a radius of around 15 meters," said Neunkirchen.

Police and fire officials believe the cause of the fire was a technical defect. The bus was in operation for the Rhine-Sieg transportation authorities and they are assuming responsibility for the removal of the bus, with the use of a special company.

Only two weeks ago, a bus burned out completely as it was making its way from Oberpleis to the depot in Weyerbusch behind Hennef-Uckerath. When the Hennef and Buchholz fire departments arrived, the bus was already up in flames. According to police, the fire was caused by a technical defect. The damage was estimated at around 80,000 euros.

(Orig. text: Hansjürgen Melzer; Translation: ck)

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