Bus reduced to burnt-out shell after catching fire in London

A Transport for London bus has been reduced to a burnt-out shell after catching fire in south-west London on Saturday.

The single-decker diesel vehicle burst into flames in Richmond Road, Twickenham, on Saturday afternoon.

Photographs online showed the back of the 490 bus in flames, with smoke rising high above the street. Five fire engines and 30 firefighters tackled the blaze.

Photos of the aftermath showed the shell of the bus covered in ash, with smoke pouring from the back. The cause of the fire is not yet know.

The London Fire Brigade said: “All passengers and the driver left the bus before the brigade’s arrival. There are no reports of any injuries.

“The road remains closed following the incident, and people are advised to avoid the area for the rest of the day.”

So far this year there have been at least four fires on TfL buses, three in January. Two happened in electric vehicles and one in a hybrid.

A TfL spokesman said: “A full investigation will need to take place to determine the cause.”