Passengers evacuated after bus goes up in flames

Firefighters were called to a bus fire in the Stacey Bushes area of Milton Keynes

A passenger detailed the "dramatic" moment the bus on which she was travelling went up in flames before it was evacuated.

Firefighters were called to a fire on an Arriva bus on Briar Hill, Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes, at about 17:25 GMT on Monday.

Soozie West, who was on the bus when it caught fire, claimed passengers had reported a "burning smell" during the journey.

A spokesperson for Arriva Midlands said the bus operator had launched an investigation into the incident.

Passengers on the number six bus said they could smell burning before they got off the vehicle

The two crews from Broughton and West Ashland, Milton Keynes, extinguished the blaze - which originated in the vehicle's engine compartment - before the bus was recovered by workers from a nearby depot.

"The overheating alarm was sounding," Ms West said.

"Once the fire started... we evacuated ourselves."

Ms West said the bus was filled with passengers at the time of the incident, with all seats in use and some people standing.

Other passengers on the bus have spoken of "smelling gasoline".

In videos and images shared with the BBC, the number six bus can be seen with both smoke and flames billowing out of the vehicle.

Bosses at Arriva said the safety of passengers was paramount

Jayden Keppel, 18, lives a street away from where the bus came to a halt and said he became aware of the emergency after his house started to smell of melting plastic.

He said: "To be honest I was quite shocked at how a bus could actually set on fire in the first place.

"Luckily, I believe everyone made it off safely, including the driver, but there was the chance the engine could've blown up."

According to Ms West, alternative transport was not arranged by Arriva for passengers, which included children - leaving them to "walk a long distance alone in the dark".

A spokesperson for Arriva Midlands said: "We have launched an investigation into what happened here.

"The safety of our staff and customers is of paramount importance."

Lewis Eldrid said he was waiting for his brother, a passenger on the bus, when he heard the sound of tyres popping and people were running towards him.

"The flames were about 9ft tall... it was quite scary to look at," he said.

"I just can't thank the firefighters enough; some people said they could feel the heat in their houses.

"It was quite a scary but I'm glad that everyone is OK and nobody was severely injured."

The bus was recovered and transported to a nearby depot following the fire