Bus passengers escape as unknown ‘hero’ tackles fire with extinguisher
A MAN was today hailed a hero for tackling a burning bus armed only with a household fire extinguisher.
Footage recorded by a passer-by shows the double-decker engulfed in thick black smoke after the blaze broke out on a main road in West Hampstead.
Witnesses described hearing a “loud bang” as flames shot from the rear of the route 113 service on Finchley Road, outside Finchley and Frognal station, last night. The bus driver and passengers escaped without injury.
A security worker rushed to the scene, wearing a suit and tie, and tried to douse the flames with foam from a small fire extinguisher.
A witness said: “He wasn’t wearing a mask or anything like that, he just ran out and did what he could. He is a hero. At one point he was so close to the flames, people were shouting at him to get back.”
A fire brigade spokesman said firefighters arrived at 7.25pm and had the blaze under control within 10 minutes.
A Transport for London spokeswoman said: “There were no injuries sustained by the passengers or driver and investigations as to the cause of the incident are under way.”