Buriton bus turns into fireball
A BUS exploded into a fireball in Buriton this morning (Wednesday).
The Countryliner single decker bus had pulled up in North Lane at about 8.45am when a large bang was heard from the engine and the vehicle burst into flames.
The bus driver escaped from the vehicle unharmed.
There were no other passengers on board at the time.
Eyewitness Ted Underwood, of Heatherfield, was driving along North Lane when the explosion happened.
Mr Underwood said: "I came around the corner and I heard a 'whoom'.
"The driver got out and then the flames just took off.
"It just got worse and worse and the bus ended up turning into a big heap."
Hampshire Fire and Rescue were called to the scene.
Ten firefighters from Petersfield and Horndean fire stations came to tackle the blaze, which had set light to nearby undergrowth and trees.
It took about 50 minutes to put out the fire, which caused 100 per cent damage to the vehicle.
The number 95 Countryliner route takes passengers from Buriton to Petersfield.
The driver had pulled over near Miscombe Manor for a few minutes before starting into the village.
When he heard the bang he was able to pick up his belongings and get away from the vehicle safely.
Mr Underwood said it was lucky the explosion happened in North Lane and not a busier street.
"What if it had happened by the primary school with hundreds of children and people walking past?
"It could have all been very serious."
Another witness, Steve Mellor, said: "The drivers always stop in the same lay-by because that bus route starts there.
"Fortunately there was no-one on the bus other than the driver.
"When I got there the front of the bus was fully in flames.
"It was a good job it happened there - imagine if it had happened in the centre of Petersfield?"
Countryliner director Roger Belsher said: "The vehicle has been recovered and is in our workshop where an investigation is being carried out in great detail.
"We really don't know what caused it - obviously it should not have done this and we are extremely concerned about it.
"We are working closely with the fire brigade to establish the cause."
Mr Belsher maintained that Countryliner had an excellent safety record and its fleet of vehicles was stringently checked.
He said: "Everyone of our vehicles is serviced every four weeks just like clockwork and every single day every one of our vehicles is scrutinised and checked by an inspector.
"This bus was checked that very morning.
"They looked at the brakes, the tyres, steering, seat belts, wipers, washers, the windscreens.
"That is all done every day."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Midhurst
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
