Bolton bus catches fire during early morning rush hour

The BEE Network bus had stopped just outside the Queen Elizabeth pub on Grecian Crescent, Great Lever, after the engine caught fire.

Two fire engines from Bolton Central Fire Station were at the scene and quickly extinguished the fire, staying for just over an hour to make the area safe to the public.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 6.10am on Wednesday 18 October, fire crews were called to reports of a vehicle fire on Grecian Crescent, Bolton.

“Two fire engines from Bolton Central fire station quickly attended the scene. The incident involved a fire in the engine of a single-decker bus.

Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire, then helped make the area safe.

“Fire crews were in attendance for just over an hour.”

One passenger said it was the 572 bus travelling down the road at 6.15am which caught on fire.

Stevie Ainsworth said: "It was a taxi driver beeping his horn at the bus, this made the bus driver pull over, and upon him opening the carriage he started yelling at us all to get off the bus.

"As we all got off we ran across the road near the Queen Lizzy pub seconds before the flames engulfed the back of the bus.

"There was around 10 people on the bus when it happened."

Stevie is from Great Lever and regularly uses the buses to and from work.

He said: "I saw the flames, they went even bigger as we ran across the road.

"It was a scary experience, I dread to think what would have happened if the taxi driver never got the drivers attention.

"The flames were big, but were brought under control a few minutes later as the fire service arrived."

The Bee Network have been contacted for a comment.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at alima.nadeem@nqnw.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @alyallstarLT