Watch: Thick smoke pours from Dudley bus as firefighters battle blaze
Passengers were forced to flee a bus after it caught fire on a road in Brierley Hill, with thick smoke pouring from the vehicle as firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze.
Passengers rushed to safety from a bus after it caught fire while travelling along Tiled House Lane in Brierley Hill on Wednesday afternoon.
Footage obtained by the Express & Star shows the vehicle surrounded by thick smoke shortly after the blaze broke out at around 2pm. Flames could be seen coming from the engine as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.
According to passengers, the vehicle involved was a Diamond bus. People on board said they noticed smoke rising from beneath the seats and alerted the driver before the situation escalated.
The bus was soon engulfed in smoke, forcing passengers to get off the vehicle. Motorists passing through the area could be seen cautiously driving around the smoke, with some stopping nearby.
Two fire engines attended the incident and crews worked for several hours to tackle the blaze. Firefighters confirmed the fire had been extinguished at around 4.30pm.
One parent, Liz Barltrop, said her daughter was on the bus when the smoke was first noticed.
“She got on the bus outside her school and as soon as she sat down she could smell smoke, but didn’t think much of it,” she said.
“By the time the bus reached the third stop the smell was much stronger. When she looked towards the back there was smoke coming from the seats and the floor.
“She and another passenger told the driver, but they were told it was apparently fine.
“The bus was on fire, luckily with nobody on by that point. She’s a bit shaken up and came back smelling of smoke. She’s asthmatic, which was triggered too.”
Diamond Bus has been approached for comment.