Shocking moment double-decker bus is engulfed in flames after ‘arson attack’
- National Express West Midlands service was deliberately set alight yesterday
- Video footage shows flames tearing through the vehicle in Birmingham
This is the shocking moment a double-decker bus was engulfed by flames after a arson attack on a busy city street.
Passengers were forced to flee after the top deck of a National Express West Midlands service was deliberately set alight yesterday in Handsworth, Birmingham.
Video footage shows huge flames tearing through the vehicle at 7.20pm on Wednesday as shocked witnesses watched on.
Several firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reels to extinguish the blaze on Soho Road – one of the city’s busiest streets – which charred the top deck of the bus.
West Midlands Police confirmed the incident did not result in any injuries and was being treated as an arson attack.
This is the shocking moment a double-decker bus was engulfed by flames after a arson attack on a busy city street in Birmingham
Video footage shows huge flames tearing through the vehicle at 7.20pm on Wednesday as shocked witnesses watched on
West Midlands Fire Service also said the blaze, which took less than half an hour to extinguish, appeared to have been started deliberately.
Two crews from Handsworth fire station attended as well as highways engineers who were called to the scene due to damage to a nearby street light
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: ‘Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used hose reels and a main jet to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have been started deliberately.
‘They had left the scene by 8.30pm. No-one was reported injured.’
A National Express West Midlands spokesperson said: ‘At approximately 19:30 yesterday (Wednesday 24 May) a National Express West Midlands double decker bus on the 74 service was involved in an incident on Soho Road, Birmingham.
Several firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reels to extinguish the blaze on Soho Road, which is one of the Birmingham’s busiest streets
The blaze took less than half an hour to extinguish, according to West Midlands Fire Service
‘There were no injuries and all passengers were swiftly evacuated from the vehicle.
‘West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service attended the incident and we are giving every assistance with their investigations.
‘Bus services in the area were diverted due to road closures as a result of the incident.
‘We apologise to any of our customers whose journeys were affected.’
West Midlands Police confirmed that no arrests had been made at the time of writing.
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