School pupils forced to flee bus blaze
School pupils were forced to evacuate from a double decker bus after it burst into flames on the A90.
The Stagecoach vehicle was carrying children to school when it caught fire on the A90 between Dundee and Perth, near Inchture, around 8:20am on Thursday.
Fire crews attended the scene and all passengers were able to be evacuated safely.
It is understood the bus was heading towards Perth High School when the fire started.
The road near Errol junction remained in both directions due to the bus fire following the last update from Traffic Scotland just after 12:15pm.
Traffic was also being held and stationary on approach with smoke blowing across the carriageway.
A video from the scene showedlargeflamesandsmoke billowing from the vehicle.
Another clip from a passer by showedthehollowshellofabus following the blaze.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8:19am on Thursday, March 24 to reports ofadoubledeckerbusonfireon the westbound carriageway of the A90 near Errol junction.
“Operations control immediately mobilised three fire engines to the location and firefighters wearing breathing apparatusareextinguishingthe fire. There are no reports of any casualties.
“Crews will remain at the scene until the area is made safe.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland said: “We can confirm one of our vehicles operating a contract on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council hasbeeninvolvedinanincident on the A90 this morning.
“There are no reported injuries and all passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle.
“Passengers are being transferred to an alternative service to get to their destination.
“Safety is our number one priorityandwewillbeassistingthe investigation into the circumstances involved.”
Thoseonthebusweretakento a nearby golf centre.
Angus Forbes, a councillor for the Carse of Gowrie, told The Courier, said: “Thankfully all children were evacuated to safety in the local golf centre
and I want to thank the driver formakingsurethathappened, as well as the owners of the golf centre for providing safety for the children.”