An ADO passenger bus on its way to Cancún from Mérida suddenly burst into flames.
However thanks to the driver’s swift actions the bus was stopped immediately, allowing all passengers to get out in time to avoid any serious injuries.
The accident took place near the outskirts of Valladolid on the Mérida – Cancún highway.
The fire is reported to have been sparked when one of the bus’s tires exploded due to excessive friction on the unusually hot surface of the road.
Tire blowouts during the months of April and May are relatively common in the Yucatán Peninsula, given extreme temperatures which routinely surpass 100% degrees Fahrenheit, and are considerably even hotter on concrete.
Workers involved in the construction of the Mayan Train arrived at the scene of the fire with large hoses and were able to put out the fire, but not before the flames had completely consumed the vehicle.
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Police are recommending that vehicles reduce their speed in order to avoid greater friction which could cause tires to explore when outside temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is not the first time in recent memory that fires have broken out in buses in Yucatán.
A short circuit in the electrical systems of a passenger bus was blamed for a fire on Mérida’s roads in mid-January.
Another fire only a couple of weeks ago appeared to be ignited by the same cause.
ADO says they will be inspecting all units and consider the creation of a new protocol that would require buses to travel slower during certain conditions.
The company also issues a statement thanking the driver of the unit, whose name has not been released to the media for his quick thinking and life-saving actions.
