Passengers evacuated from an Atherton double-decker bus after it catches fire
Passengers were led to safety after a double-decker caught light on a journey through Wigan borough.
The yellow 582 Bee Bus was travelling along Hesketh Street in Atherton shortly before 7pm last night (Monday March 2) when it was noticed that smoke and flames were coming from its rear.
The driver and passengers quickly disembarked and firefighters from Hindley and Atherton arrived to douse the flames.
Because there was nowhere to pull in, the vehicle caused a blockage and so fire crew members coned off half the street and directed traffic.
Firefighter Harry Cartwright said: “The air pressure dropped and the braking system overheated causing one of the back wheels to catch fire.
"It was very hot when we got there, but in the end we just kept a hose reel on it, firstly to put out the flames and then cool everything down.
"We were there for about 90 minutes.”
The passengers, who were all unharmed, were collected by another bus to continue their journey.