Dramatic pictures show burnt-out shell of London school bus - which caught fire with children inside, it is claimed

2023-01-20 3

These dramatic pictures show the burnt-out shell of a school bus - which caught fire with children inside, it is claimed.

The incident took place in Hackney, East London at around 8:20am this morning (20/1).

Images from the scene show the bus was completely destroyed - with nearby cars also damaged.

The London Fire Brigade said no one was injured.

Local Lucia Martin, an administrator, witnessed the fire.

The 47-year-old said: "A lady had seen there were flames underneath the front part of the school bus as it was driving down the road.

“The driver had seen the smoke and quickly got the three kids and carers out, and they all rushed into my neighbour's house.

“There was a lady screaming and shouting, then a few minutes later I heard screaming and a bang.

“Because there were three cars quite near to the minibus, they had also caught fire - the widows were cracked from the impact of the explosion.

“I’m just glad everyone was okay, it was a kind of scary experience – the fire bridgade put the fire out and they stayed until it was safe and there was no smoke.

“I was just shocked more than anything, it was really scary and literally 20 feet from my door.”

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Firefighters tackled a bus fire on Wilton Way in Hackney this morning (January 20).

"A 30-seater bus was damaged by fire.

"Six other vehicles and a small part of several surrounding properties were also damaged by the blaze.

"All passengers had left the vehicle before the Brigade arrived. There have been no reports of injuries.

"The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 42 calls about the blaze.

"The Brigade was called at 0813 and the fire was under control by 0920. Firefighters from Bethnal Green Fire Station attended the scene."

Hackney Council said: "This morning a fire broke out on a school bus in Hackney. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

"All the children were evacuated with no injuries & a replacement bus was organised to deliver them to school."

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