Bus explodes as garage is engulfed in flames and six vehicles are damaged in the fire
- Vast amounts of smoke covered Potters Bar after a fire broke out in bus garage
- Hertforshire Fire and Rescue Service said at least four buses were involved
- Service took more than 70 calls about the huge blaze and arrived at 2.36pm
This is the shocking moment a London bus reportedly explodes while the entire depot goes up in flames.
Fire fighters were battling a huge inferno at Metroline bus garage on the High Street in Potters Bar after being called to the scene on the High Street at 2.36pm on Sunday.
A large plume of smoke wafted across the Hertfordshire town after reports of an ‘unbelievable noise’ which likened to that of an explosion, with some people reporting on Twitter that the smoke could be seen about 11 miles (18km) away in St Albans.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said at least four buses were involved in the fire in the Metroline garage, which are run around London, and was working with police to evacuate the surrounding area. There are no reported injuries.
According to Hertfordshire Live, an unnamed bus driver said that the fire was believed to have been caused by a battery exploding in one of the electric buses while it was charging – but this has not yet been confirmed.
No one was on board any of the buses at the time of the blaze.
The service took more than 70 calls from members of the public about the huge blaze. The A1000 road was shut while fire fighters tackled the flames.
Andy Hopcroft, Herts Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: ‘The service was called to reports of a significant fire at Potters Bar Bus Garage at around 2.30mph this afternoon.
‘The first fire engine was on the scene within four minutes where four buses were well alight.
Hertfordshire fire fighters were battling a huge inferno at Metroline bus garage on the High Street in Potters Bar after being called to the scene on the High Street at 2.36pm on Sunday
‘Neighbouring properties were quickly evacuated and the surrounding buildings and other buses were protected from fire.
‘At the height of the fire, eight engines were in attendance and a total of six buses were on fire – two electric-hybrid and four diesel-powered.
He said the causes of the fire has yet to be established and an investigation has been launched.
On Twitter, people in the local area were sharing pictures and videos of the smoke covering their skies on Sunday afternoon. One wrote: ‘Potters Bar bus garage – electric buses on fire after electric pack explosion.’
Another said on Twitter: ‘Big fire at Potters Bar bus garage.
‘Several hybrid buses have caught fire, say local bus drivers, and they may have difficulty moving others near by for some time. Could hit local bus services.’
An eyewitness called Shaun Cunningham told the BBC that he heard an ‘unbelievable noise’ which ‘sounded like a jet’ and he saw a bus that had ‘exploded into a ball of flames’.
The underground diesel storage in the bus garage was reported to have been safe by bus drivers.
Metroline has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
According to Hertfordshire Live, an unnamed bus driver said that the fire was believed to have been caused by a battery exploding in one of the electric buses while it was charging – but this has not yet been confirmed
Source: Read Full Article