London bendy bus catches fire outside Victoria station

A bendy bus has caught fire outside one of London's busiest railway stations.

Fire crews were called to deal with thick black smoke which was seen billowing from the number 73 on Terminus Place, opposite Victoria station, at about 0830 BST on Saturday.

The driver escaped without injury and there were no passengers on board, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Much of Terminus Place has been closed while investigations take place, although buses are stopping nearby.

But Victoria Tube station has now reopened after the sub-surface Circle and District Lines were prevented from stopping at the station while the fire was in progress.

Buses refitted

Bendy buses, which were introduced in London in 2001, were temporarily taken out of service in 2005 when three of them caught fire.

They were only allowed back on the roads once special fire-suppression equipment had been fitted.

There was also a fire on another vehicle three years ago, with flames coming from its heating system.

"A Route 73 articulated bus, operated by Arriva London, caught fire while in Victoria bus station," said TfL in a statement.

"Emergency services attended the scene and promptly extinguished the fire. No passengers were on board and there were no reported injuries.

"TfL, the operator and the emergency services will be carrying out a full investigation into the incident."