Drama as blaze blows out bus windows

PASSENGERS on a bus which caught fire were evacuated moments before the heat blew out the windows.

The Lothian Buses number 35 service was making its way along Calder Road at around 10am yesterday when it began to fill with smoke.

William Wilson, 63, a CCTV operator who saw the incident, said: “There was smoke at first and then the flames just came. The heat made the windows explode. It was pretty dramatic.”

The road was closed as antifreeze and diesel was cleared.

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Passenger Alistair James said: “There was a big bang, then the flames started – it was scary.”

Bill Campbell, operations director of Lothian Buses, said: “The driver ensured the safe and immediate evacuation of passengers from the double-decker as per training for these rare situations.

“We will assist in conducting a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.”