KANPUR, April 30 -- More than 60 factory workers escaped unhurt on Wednesday morning after a private bus ferrying them to work caught fire on the Unnao-Lalganj highway, triggering a traffic jam that briefly stalled vehicles headed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Hardoi.

Police said the bus, operated by a private contractor for the Super House tannery unit in Dahi Chowki, caught fire near Pachodda village. The vehicle was carrying around 60 workers, including women, from Dhani Khera to the factory when smoke began rising from the engine compartment.

Driver Laxmi Shankar told police he sensed a burning smell and immediately pulled the bus to the side of the road. He asked passengers to disembark at once. Workers climbed out thr...