Bus blaze drama in morning rush hour
BACK OF VEHICLE GOES UP IN FLAMES SENDING SMOKE BILLOWING INTO SKY
A DOUBLE DECKER bus burst into flames during the morning rush hour.
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the hybrid vehicle, on Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme, on Tuesday morning.
There were no passengers on board, and the driver escaped before fire crews arrived just after 8.45am.
Witnesses described dramatic scenes as the burning bus was seen driving through Cheadle before it came to a halt near Cheadle Hulme High School.
A passing motorist said: “I couldn’t believe it. The whole of the back of the bus where the engine is just went up in flames.
“All the traffic had to stop, although a couple of foolhardy people were trying to drive round it.
“People were scared it might explode. There were lots of kids on their way to school just watching on.
“I couldn’t see if anyone had actually been on the bus, although people said it was the driver who called the fire brigade.
“The bus was parked right next to a restaurant - it was amazing it didn’t spread to the buildings.”
Another witness, Paula Pugh of Cheadle, said: “The bus drove past me about 8.45am down Church Road and there was smoke coming out of the back. “As it turned onto Gillbent Road there were flames coming out of the engine. “Cars behind it were beeping to alert the driver. I presume the driver pulled up at the stop around the corner and all I could see was black smoke in the air. “The fire service were there in minutes and put the fire out. The driver of a 313 bus came past and told me the back of the bus had gone up in flames.” Gillbent Road was temporarily shut while firefighters battled the flames and the vehicle was recovered. It is not known at this stage what caused the fire.
People were scared it might explode. It was amazing it didn’t spread to the buildings