Dramatic moment electric double decker bus bursts into flames after terrifying ‘bang’ during rush hour: Emergency crews scramble to site as blast sparks road chaos

• * Witness the Wimbledon bus fire? Please email: [email protected] *

By Mark Duell[1] and Rachael Bunyan[2]

Published: 09:12, 11 January 2024 | Updated: 12:46, 11 January 2024

An electric double decker bus burst into flames in London[3] this morning, causing rush hour mayhem as 'terrified' witnesses reported hearing a 'huge bang'.

Clouds of smoke billowed from the vehicle in the centre of Wimbledon after it caught fire at about 7.20am, with firefighters setting up an 80ft (25m) cordon.

Three fire engines and 15 firefighters raced to the scene, with dramatic photographs showing the blaze destroyed the rear of the bus and blew out the back windows.

As police confirmed there were no injuries but urged motorists to avoid the scene, Amy Foster, who works directly opposite the bus stop for IT firm Rockbourne, told MailOnline: 'The response was very fast by the emergency services.

'The fire crew started to tackle the blaze at the back of bus where the fire was burning very aggressively - it blew out the back of the bus at the bottom and top.

'It took a long time for them to get it under control with flames flying out the back of the bus that often had a blue hue to them. The smoke was really thick and blew down the high street.

The fire crews put out the flames but continued to soak the battery at the back of the bus for another hour or so due to it overheating and regularly were using a heat gun to check its temperature. Very glad no one was hurt.'

Another witness, Roderick Cameron, tweeted a photo of the flames and said: 'Not what we expect to see on the school run. Bus on fire - and the fumes are awful.'

The Optare Metrodecker 1050 bus operates route 200 from Mitcham to Raynes Park, and it has been run by Go-Ahead London from the Merton garage since June 2021.

* Witness the Wimbledon bus fire? Please email: [email protected] *

The electric double decker bus burst into flames today in Wimbledon, South West London

Emergency services respond to the bus fire this morning in Wimbledon, South West London

The smoldering bus with a charred back window on Wimbledon Hill Road this morning

Police said there were no injuries but urged people to avoid the scene in Wimbledon today

Firefighters continue to put out the blaze this morning in Wimbledon, South West London

The smoldering bus with a charred back window on Wimbledon Hill Road this morning

The bus fire in Wimbledon this morning led to firefighters setting up an 80ft (25m) cordon

The blackened rear of the bus is seen today as it is towed away after the blaze in Wimbledon

Local resident Max Pashley told City AM[4]: 'We heard a huge bang.

We were terrified.'

The blaze on Alwyne Road led to Wimbledon Hill Road being partially blocked with congestion to Wimbledon Village southbound and to the Broadway northbound.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'Firefighters have been called to a fire involving a bus on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon.

'Part of a double-decker electric bus is alight. A 25-metre cordon has been put in place as a precaution and road closures are in place. There are currently no reports of any injuries.

'The Brigade was called at 7.21am.

Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from Wimbledon, New Malden and Wandsworth fire stations are at the scene.'

The electric bus which caught fire this morning in Wimbledon is towed away

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

Firefighters established a cordon and are working at the scene in Wimbledon this morning

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

Firefighters established a cordon and are working at the scene in Wimbledon this morning

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

And a Scotland Yard spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'Police were called at 7.23am on Thursday, January 11 to reports of a bus on fire at Wimbledon Hill and Alwyne Road, SW19.

'Officers, London Fire Brigade attended. At the scene a bus had caught fire. Road closures and cordons are in place.

We expect them to remain for some time.

'There were no reported injuries. We thank the local community for their patience and cooperation as emergency services work at the scene. If possible please avoid the area.'

Earlier, the Merton Police account tweeted: 'Please avoid the area of Wimbledon Hill Road this morning.

There will be congestion as the road is blocked off in both south and northbound directions.'

Tom Cunnington, Transport for London's head of buses business development, told MailOnline: 'Safety is our top priority and we are working with the operator, London General, and the bus manufacturer, Switch, to investigate what happened.

'The bus was quickly evacuated and there are no reported injuries.'

Firefighters established a cordon and are working at the scene in Wimbledon this morning

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

Firefighters established a cordon and are working at the scene in Wimbledon this morning

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

Emergency services are on the scene after the bus caught fire in Wimbledon this morning

Firefighters established a cordon and are working at the scene in Wimbledon this morning

Stephen Hammond, the Conservative MP for Wimbledon, tweeted: 'Emergency services are dealing with an ongoing incident with a bus in Wimbledon Town Centre.

Please be aware that journeys may take longer than usual.'

And Daniel Holden, Tory councillor and deputy leader of the Merton Conservative Group, tweeted: 'Bus fire this morning in Hillside on Wimbledon Hill Road.

'I hope no one was injured by this incident. @MPSMerton @LondonFire on the scene and that section of road has been closed.

Buses and traffic are on diversion.'

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Electric buses have been carrying passengers in London since 2014 when Boris Johnson was Mayor, and there are about 1,000 now in operation across the capital.

* Witness the Wimbledon bus fire? Please email: [email protected] *

References

1. ^ Mark Duell (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Rachael Bunyan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
4. ^ City AM (www.cityam.com)