Passengers flee First bus fireball

Photo: Picture: LUKE EVANS

The bus well ablaze on Park Road, Glodwick.

WORRIED passengers were rushed off an Oldham bus yesterday morning - just before it burst into flames.

The engine of the 408 set alight in Park Road at 11am. Six passengers and the driver escaped unharmed as fire crews arrived to put out the fire. The driver had seen smoke coming from the engine, stopped the Droylsden-bound bus and got passengers off before making the emergency call.

Park Road was closed at its Queens Road junction while crews tackled the flames.

An investigation is now looking into the cause.

A First Bus spokesman said: “This is a very rare occurrence. We will work with firemen to see if there is anything we can do so it doesn’t happen again. We are pleased with the way the driver dealt with the situation.”