Bus explodes during fire

[Clip]

A London bus has exploded and thrown debris across a south London street.

The blaze happened at the junction of Stafford Road and Sandy Lane in Wallington, at 14:00 GMT on Tuesday.

The driver of the 157 bus pulled over to the side of the road and got the passengers off as smoke emitted from the rear of the bus, police said.

London Ambulance service treated one person for shock. Initial reports indicated the fire was not suspicious, the Metropolitan Police said.

"There was an explosion on the bus which threw debris from the bus across the road," the Met added.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called out after the reports of smoke coming from the bus.

"As it was during a strike by fire brigade workers, two contingency crews were sent out", a LFB spokesman said.

"The bus was evacuated and LFB left the scene at about 15:10 GMT."

Transport for London and bus operator Abellio are yet to provide a comment.


Wow the side of that has had a bit of a battering

 

[Antman]

Could the explosion have been the tyre?

 

[Wyvern]

TRust the Standard to egg it up: "Panic as passengers flee bus moments before it blows up in south London street" :roll:

It does however give a bit more detail:

The driver pulled up and passengers were led to safety as the rear of the 157 service from Morden to Crystal Palace became engulfed by flame at 2pm yesterday.

Minutes later witnesses described a “massive explosion” which shattered the bus windows and sent debris flying.

A blazing tyre shot across the road landing inches from cars parked on the forecourt of a second-hand car dealership.

Fire crews doused the burning engine with foam as a plume of black smoke rose 100ft into the air above Stafford Road.

 

[455driver]

Thats going to need more than a quick hoover out!

As the broken windows are above the rear wheels I would hazard a guess that the 'explosion' (as somebody has already posted) would have been the tyre going off!

Incidentally I saw a double decker completely burn out (West Riding buses 615) and the fuel tank was still 3/4 full so it wouldnt have been the diesel tank going up.