A parked bus in Jashore’s Upashahar area was set on fire by unidentified miscreants early Thursday morning, narrowly avoiding a major disaster for nearby slum dwellers. Locals noticed flames inside the bus shortly after dawn prayers and managed to extinguish the fire after about 20 minutes. The bus supervisor reported that the vehicle’s seats and parts were damaged, though the engine remained intact. Police suspect the fire was started through a broken window near the driver’s seat and have launched an investigation to identify the culprits. The incident occurred amid heightened political tension following a lockdown program announced by the banned Awami League in protest of a controversial verdict against ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others, with a torch procession held in Jashore the previous night.