A BEST electric bus caught fire near Chembur Camp in Mumbai on Sunday morning. Fortunately, the driver spotted smoke in time, and no injuries were reported.

  • A BEST electric bus caught fire near Chembur Camp, Mumbai, on Sunday morning.
  • The incident was triggered by a suspected battery short circuit.
  • Quick action by the driver and staff prevented any casualties.

A major mishap was averted in Mumbai's Chembur Camp area on Sunday morning when a BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) electric bus caught fire. The incident occurred around 8:00 AM while the bus was operating on route A-365, traveling from Mahul Gaon to Trombay. The driver's alertness in spotting smoke emerging from the cabin proved crucial in preventing a potential disaster.

The vehicle involved was a 'wet-lease' bus operated by Shree Maruti Travels (Daga Group) out of the Deonar depot. Preliminary investigations suggest that a spark occurred within the battery box, leading to a short circuit that ignited the flames.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that as urban centers rapidly transition to electric public transport, the reliability of battery management systems and the frequency of technical audits become critical pillars of public safety. Single points of failure in EV battery compartments can lead to rapid-onset fires in high-density transit corridors.

The rapid escalation of EV battery fires necessitates specialized training for transit staff and the integration of advanced thermal monitoring systems.

The onboard staff acted swiftly, utilizing all three available fire extinguishers to suppress the blaze within approximately 15 minutes. Following the containment, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) arrived at the scene to disconnect and remove the battery as a precautionary measure. Local police and municipal ward staff also attended the site to manage the situation.

Historical Background

This incident adds to a growing list of technical failures within the BEST fleet. In May 2026, an empty electric double-decker bus operated by Switch Mobility caught fire at the Kurla depot. Additionally, two CNG-powered buses caught fire at the Sion-Pratiksha Nagar depot within an hour of each other. In response to these recurring issues, BEST had previously mandated fleet-wide safety inspections and stricter pre-service verification protocols.

Did You Know?: Lithium-ion battery fires can undergo a process called 'thermal runaway,' where a single cell's failure triggers a chain reaction, making them extremely difficult to extinguish.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Were there any casualties in the Chembur bus fire?
No, there were no reported injuries or fatalities among passengers or staff.

2. What caused the fire in the BEST bus?
The fire was suspected to be caused by a short circuit in the battery box.