About 15 passengers aboard an RK travelers bus have cheated death in Mwense District after the bus they were travelling on caught fire.

The incident happened at Lubunda Village around 20:00 hours yesterday as the bus was enroute to Nchelenge from Mansa district.

ZANIS reports that Luapula Commissioner of Police, Yuyi Mwala has confirmed the incident involving a passenger bus with registration number AIT 22267 which was being driven by Boyd Tembo, 53.

Mr Yuyi said as the bus was approaching Lubunda area, the driver saw some  smoke emerging from the rear boot of the bus through the mirror and upon realising it was on fire he stopped the bus and advised all the passengers to disembark.

Moments later the entire bus burst into flames and was reduced to ashes.

Mr Yuyi said the police suspect the fire could have been ignited by a motorbike which was carried in the rear cargo carrier and could have been licking some petrol.

” Some passengers managed to retrieve some of the luggage from the bus but the property that was packed in the boot where the fire started has been burnt,” Mr Yuyi said.

Mr Yuyi could, however, not give the value of the gutted property by press time saying his office was waiting for the bus and property owners to quantify and ascertain the value of the lost items.

“We are still waiting for the owners of the bus and the affected passengers to ascertain the value of the property that was burnt,” Mr Yuyi said.