Huge flames erupted on a busy street when a bus was 'destroyed' by fire in Twickenham, London this afternoon.
A large response involving 30 firefighters descended on the street around 1.20pm after the blaze broke out, leaving a single-decker bus completely destroyed. All passengers and the driver left the bus before the fire brigade arrived.
Video footage from the scene shows fire crews attempting to tackle the blaze in the middle of the road with sirens blaring. Later images show the front of the bus burnt out after the fire was extinguished.
A spokesperson for Transport for London said the bus had a diesel engine, and that a "full investigation" will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries have been reported, and enquiries from the police and fire brigade are ongoing.
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Drivers have been urged to avoid the area. A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "Five fire engines and around 30 firefighters tackled a bus fire on Richmond Road in Twickenham. One diesel single decker bus was destroyed by the fire. 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. The Brigade was called at 1318 and the incident was over for firefighters at 1426. Crews from Twickenham, Richmond, Heston and Kingston fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation."
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Emergency services were called at 1320hrs on Saturday, 18 May, to a bus on fire in Richmond Road, Twickenham. There were no reported injuries. Enquiries continue alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues."
Traffic delays have been reported in the area since the incident. One person who posted a photograph of dark smoke rising above the street wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Hope everything is ok."
It is not yet known what caused the fire. London Fire Brigade have been approached for comment.
Earlier this year, residents in Wimbledon were woken up to a "loud bang" after a double-decker electric bus caught fire during the busy school run. Eyewitnesses described hearing a "terrifying" explosion before seeing the bus ablaze on the street, while others spoke of "awful" fumes in the area while taking their children to school. Pictures meanwhile showed the back of the bus - understood to be the route 200 from Mitcham to Raynes Par - left blackened and burnt out after the blaze was extinguished. No injuries were reported.