Passengers safe after A19 coach fire

The coach caught fire on the A19 but all passengers were evacuated from it safely

Part of a major road was closed after a coach caught fire.

The fire broke out at the Doxford Park turn-off of the A19, near Seaham, County Durham, at about 10:35 BST.

All passengers of the coach were safely evacuated and Durham Police said nobody was injured.

The southbound carriageway was closed between the A690, near East Herrington and Sunderland, and the A1018 near Seaham. The road has since reopened.

"Thankfully, nobody was injured during the incident, but the road was blocked while emergency services worked at the scene," a force spokesperson said.

Darlington Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene to extinguish the blaze and its crews from Seaham and Peterlee worked alongside firefighters from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

National Highways has advised drivers to allow extra time for their journeys.